More on Greek Blogs

Here are two more articles about the blog that has triggered controversy about anonymous blogging in Greece.

From Kathimerini

Authorities are broadening their investigation into the press-gr news blog after indications the site was being supplied with information from someone using a computer inside Parliament.

Authorities are continuing to look into the blog spot after journalist Andreas Kapsampelis, who reportedly ran it, was charged on Monday with blackmail and libel.

Sources said Finance Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis, Merchant Marine Minister Giorgos Voulgarakis and government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos are among 100 plaintiffs to have filed a lawsuit against the blogspot in the last 16 months.

Google, which hosts the electronic address, has agreed to help Greek authorities with investigation efforts aimed at uncovering suspects who allegedly demanded amounts of up to 20,000 euros from their victims in order not to publish articles about them.

The self-styled citizens’ news site hosts a regular mix of comments on Greek politics and society from users who are frequently anonymous and often resort to abusive language.

The case was raised in Parliament on Monday when Alogoskoufis said the opposition had regularly tapped the site for dirt on the government.

“Many of the anonymous accusations adopted by members of the opposition are identical to the ones posted on (this) libelous website,” he said.

One of the comments was found to have been posted on the blog from a computer belonging to Parliament’s network, the police said.

and another article from ERT

At least five persons appear to be the administrators of blogpress-gr.blogsport.com, which as per lawsuits filed they posted slanderous comments, followed by blackmailing calls and e-mails. Due to charges related to felony and blackmail, confidentiality has been lifted and thus the Electronic Crime Bureau is on the five administrators’ electronic traces. Journalist Vasilis Chiotis had filed a lawsuit on felony and defamation of character one year ago. Over 100 lawsuits have been filed since the case was made public. In an interview with NET 105.8, ISTAME (Institute of Strategic and Development Studies) President Nikos Kotzias argued that the last time the specific blog had insulted him was one day before he was checked. To Vima newspaper, where Mr Chiotis works as an editor carries the blog’s posted material that concern him and the others. It also carries two e-mails through which unknown senders had asked 30,000 euros from him in order to stop publicizing the comments. Ministers George Alogoskoufis and George Voulgarakis, MPs, businessmen, hierarchs journalists and lawyers have also filed lawsuits.

One of the five persons considered to be the administrators of the blog is head editor of Kosmos tou Ependyti newspaper Andreas Kapsampelis, who lost his post when it was revealed that he had been involved in the case.

In his answer on the blog, Mr Kapsampelis reports that he is a blogger and not a criminal, rejecting any charges filed against him on blackmail.

Three more journalists or politicians appear to be Kapsampelis’ co-bloggers, while at least one publication appears to have been sent by a computer in the Parliament.
Referring to the issue, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos stated that the authorities are cooperating on an international basis, adding that anonymity on the Internet is in force worldwide. However, he stressed that the posted material should not be insulting.

In parallel, he said that a bill on the free circulation of ideas on the Internet, incorporating the EU relevant directives will be tabled at Parliament in 2008.

Referring to the case today, Transport and Communications Minister Kostis Hatzidakis stated that blogs should not carry defamatory material.

From its side, SYN (Coalition of the Left) issued an announcement as per which the government is trying to introduce a new measure that will lead to censorship on the excuse of combating blackmail.

As per information, brief on the administrators of the blog will also concern the controversial DVD on the Zahopoulos case.

Technorati: press.gr, greece, blogs, blogging, lawsuit, law