A strong message against toxicity in public discourse was sent by government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis, calling “for those who spread blatant lies to look in the mirror”, whether they are journalists, journalists or satirists “who kill characters“.
Speaking on ANT1 on Friday morning, in response to what Kyriakos Mitsotakis on the climate of toxicity and his health adventure Giorgos Mylonakis, stressing that “we are out of control“, calling it “unthinkable” to circulate such comments at a time when a man is fighting a battle. “We have been caught in the grip of a morbid minority making noise,” he said, adding that “the culprits are those who tolerate them.”
Referring to reactions of the opposition after the prime minister’s speech, he spoke of “strong instrumentalization“, noting that behind every political figure there is a man with a family and a personal life. He even recalled instances of targeting, such as publications and statements that went beyond the pale, even going so far as to insinuate that political figures were linked to tragic events.
As he pointed out, the phenomenon is not “isobvious“, arguing that in recent years there has been systematic targeting of the government and its officials. “We cannot turn a blind eye to toxic discourse,” he said.
With regard to Adonis Georgiadis’s statements about the European prosecutor Popi Papandreou, the government spokesman took a more balanced stance. He said he “shared much” of what the minister said, but focused on leaks, the “salamization” of evidence and the discrepancy he claimed between what was circulated and the official evidence in the case files.
He clarified, however, that “under no circumstances” should there be any question of questioning the Justice, stressing that the government “will “never” turn against it. “It is one thing to critique and another to attack,” he said, adding that at a time when judges are under pressure especially in light of the Tebbi trial, the attitude must be cautious and institutional.
Finally, referring to the Lazaridis case, Marinakis admitted that there was a mistake in the hiring process, noting that he “rightly” proceeded to return the money.
He also addressed the issue of voice, noting that, even under pressure, public statements must be tempered. “In public discourse, we do not only respond to our critics, but to society,” he said, stressing that sometimes “speech is more important than substance.”
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