Greek Member State Committee of the
European Bureau of Lesser-Used Languages (EBLUL)

Press Release on the Censorship of Thanassis Triaridis

Naoussa/ Negush
August 17, 2005

	European Bureau for Lesser Used Languages Bureau europeen pour les langues moins repandues Greek Member State Committee of EBLUL
GΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΕΠΙΤΡΟΠΗ ΤΟΥ ΕΥΡΩΠΑΪΚΟΥ ΓΡΑΦΕΙΟΥ ΤΩΝ ΟΛΙΓΟΤΕΡΟ ΧΡΗΣΙΜΟΠΟΙΟΥΜΕΝΩΝ ΓΛΩΣΣΩΝ MAZARAKI 7a TK 59200 NAOUSA/NEGUSH – GREECE E-mail: parisis@nao.forthnet.gr Telefon: ++306972844412

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The Greek Member State Committee of the European Bureau For Lesser-Used Languages (EBLUL) finds itself, for yet another time, in the unpleasant position of expressing its serious concerns about the full suppression of linguistic diversity by Greek print and electronic Media.

In this instance it is the refusal of the newspaper "Makedonia" in Thessaloniki to publish an article of its regular columnist (since February 2004) Mr. Thanassis Triaridis under the title: "Short note on a banned language".

http://www.triaridis.gr/keimena/keimD046.htm

The article stressed that the Greek state must finally lift the "ban" that was imposed on the Macedonian language and integrate it into the educational system in areas where it's widely spoken.

To justify its refusal to publish the article the newspaper claimed that the article contradicted its "core principals," forcing the author to resign (this was part of the initial agreement between "Makedonia" and Triaridis).

Unfortunately, it seems the lack of pluralism and tolerance towards diversity that characterises modern Greek society starts exactly from where it should end. The Mass Media, which instead of fulfilling their core mission and objectively informing the public -- especially on "unknown" issues such as the lesser used languages in Greece -- chooses to fall into line with official Greek state policy.

The GMSC of EBLUL wishes to express its unreserved support for Mr. Thanassis Triaridis and would like to repeat that respect towards linguistic and cultural diversity is the clearest proof of a democratic and civilized European country. We also call on the Greek government and Greek Media to actively assist in abolishing the prejudices and stereotypes they have jointly developed on this matter over the past century.

Athanasios Parisis
President of the GMSC of EBLUL