Press Release
The Permanent Conference of the Mediterranean Audiovisual Operators (COPEAM) – also on behalf of its members, more than 100 audiovisual operators from 25 countries of the two Mediterranean shores – expresses its strong concern and complete solidarity to the Greek public television following the decision to abruptly shut down ERT, COPEAM funding member, in 1996 in Cairo.
Since many years, COPEAM warns about the threats affecting the audiovisual public service in the Mediterranean area: issues pertaining to financial resources, managerial stability, tensions with political powers, increased competition with new actors, both traditional and digital ones.
“As our societies face relevant socio-economic changes and major political tensions, public service media shall, more than ever, play a fundamental role. They are an essential component of the democratic process as well as irreplaceable means to promote cultural diversity” declared Mr. Mathieu Gallet, President of COPEAM.
COPEAM makes available to the competent authorities, today in Greece, its unique network and its renown experience in the Mediterranean region to support an audiovisual public service guaranteeing the promotion of democratic values, intercultural dialogue and Euro-Mediterranean cooperation.