The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-12-12

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] With Three Pilot Programmes ERT Enters Digital Era

By Anna Kourti

ERT is entering the new digital technology as of January 2006 with three new digital channels. The three pilot programmes will have specialised content. The first is targeted to disabled people, the second will be broadcasting films and certain TV series, while the third is dedicated to sports, broadcasting many sports shows. As per Public Television President Christos Panagopoulos, as of 6 January ERT will be transmitting its signal through digital television technology, originally with five transmitters, covering at least 65% of the Greek population as of March. In particular, for Attica the frequency is UHV-Channel 48, for Thessaloniki it is UHF-Channel 56 and for Thessaly it is UHF-Channel 53. The Greek presentation was held on Monday noon at a central Athenian hotel.

Three Pilot Programmes

"PRISM +" addressing disabled people, originally to go on air for six hours daily. "CINE +" an entertainment programme with films, documentaries and children's shows, that will be broadcasting for 12 hours daily. "SPORT +" with many sports shows, as well as music shows and news bulletins.

ERT Board Member Giorgos Chouliaras underlined the three pilot programmes will be free for citizens without subscription or advertisements, while he added, "the only things citizens should buy from the market are decoders, which cost from 60 to 160 euros, depending on the provided services." Mr Chouliaras also added there is an effort underway to grant disabled people with free decoders, while PRISMA+ is the first programme in Europe especially designed for the disabled.

On the other hand, State Minister Thodoros Roussopoulos wished ERT's administration good luck in this new venture, which he described "not only as a necessity, but as an obligation towards transition to a new digital era."

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[02] One Dead Train Collided with Car

By Anna Kourti

An accident with one dead occurred today at a guarded passage on the old Andravida-Lechaina national highway. 70-year-old Ioannis Kandilas from Lechaina was fatally injured, when he drove over the protective bars and his vehicle collided with a passing train, en route from Athens to Kalamata. None of the passengers on board the train was injured.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[03] Mantouvalos Speaks of Crime and Exaggeration Mantouvalos Emmanouilidis Before Examiner

By Despina Hristopoulou

Independent Parliamentarian Petros Mantouvalos and lawyer Nikos Emmanouilidis testified today before appeals examiners for the implication to the extra-judicial network. After his testimony before Special Appeals Examiner Mr G. Sideris, Petros Mantouvalos, who is accused of legalising revenues from illegal activities and bribery, he was released. Exiting the examiner's office, Mr Mantouvalos said he submitted all evidence proving his innocence to Justice and voiced his satisfaction over the result of his testimony, stressing he is expecting "at least an apology from those who implicated me. They should have known better." He also repeated his implication in the case was the mere attempt of some people to smear his political career. Before entering the office, Mr Mantouvalos said his implication in the case is a "crime and exaggeration" and added, "The Parliament has been misled by inaccurate documents."

Emmanouilidis Free on Bail

After his testimony before Appeals Examiner Mr Sideris, Nikos Emmanouilidis was released on bail (40 thousand euros) and was banned from living the country. The lawyer has been charged with money laundering and bribing justices.

Mr Emmanouilidis told reporters he has nothing to do with the case. He also stressed he stopped representing Iakovos Giosakis last January, when the entire extra-judicial scandal broke out.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

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