Amendment paves way for another broadcast license auction

The Digital Policy Ministry on Thursday submitted to Parliament a legislative amendment which paves the way for a new auction for private television licenses following last year’s government competition that was revoked by a Greek court.

Once the bill has been approved, the National Broadcasting Council (ESR) will be called upon to determine the number of licenses that should be made available in the auction.

In last year’s competition, it was four, which critics described as a bid by the government to grab media power and close down channels critical of the administration.

The leftist-led government awarded four new TV licenses following a controversial license last September but the Council of State deemed the competition unconstitutional a month later.