Athens (dpa) – Greek journalists walked off the job for 24 hours on Tuesday to protest austerity measures and income cuts, forcing a news blackout across the country.
The strike, which began at 6 a.m. (0400 GMT) affected all media, including radio and television news broadcasts, websites and daily newspapers.
Journalists‘ unions have been protesting firings and pension and benefit cuts while hundreds of journalists in the private sector frequently go unpaid for months.
Tuesday‘s strike comes one day ahead of a nationwide strike by workers in the state and private sector, which is expected to disrupt public services and transport, including rail and ferry service.
Hospitals will be operating on skeleton staff as doctors and nurses join the 24-hour walkout and pharmacies will be closed for the day.
Teachers and prison staff are also scheduled to join the action along with court staff, causing disruption to scheduled trials.