[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.35,0:00:21.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,BEHIND THE BLACK SCREEN
Dialogue: 0,0:00:31.01,0:00:38.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was sure, from the start of that black Tuesday, that when the government spokesman would make his speech
Dialogue: 0,0:00:38.42,0:00:40.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,he would announce that ERT is shutting down
Dialogue: 0,0:00:40.50,0:00:41.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, I was expecting it.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:41.80,0:00:45.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We were aware of the news about the ERT closure from the previous days.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:45.64,0:00:48.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But at that time we knew it was going to happen.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:48.38,0:00:55.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We interrupted the normal programme and brought a special news bulletin about the ongoing developments regarding ERT.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:55.08,0:01:01.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The first phone call I got while we were still broadcasting the developments about our lay offs was from my child
Dialogue: 0,0:01:01.46,0:01:08.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She was panicked, she learned about this from the TV. Crying, she asked me "Were you fired?" etc
Dialogue: 0,0:01:08.06,0:01:12.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What could I tell her? She has exams these days, as you know, I was very angry.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:12.97,0:01:18.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My colleagues here supported me. I put down the phone, because I couldn't answer her question.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:18.38,0:01:19.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I calmed down, I called her back.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:19.71,0:01:23.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The newscast was released normally, with all the information we had until that time.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:23.58,0:01:30.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We were ready to broadcast when the government spokesman Mr. Kedikoglou would make his announcement.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:30.51,0:01:37.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The government has decided to shut down ERT, within the current legal framework and with a decision by all the ministers,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:37.26,0:01:41.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,all ERT broadcasts are to stop after the end of the programme this evening.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:41.82,0:01:44.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the beginning, we couldn't believe our ears.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:44.75,0:01:52.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There was a big panic, we looked at each other. "What's going on? I can't believe it. What's going to happen next?"
Dialogue: 0,0:01:52.67,0:01:57.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,During that day and before the announcement was made, many of us here were crying
Dialogue: 0,0:01:57.38,0:02:01.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but at the same time we were thinking of how we could react to this coup.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:01.70,0:02:09.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The only way we had and still have is our voice, keeping ERT open.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:09.77,0:02:13.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We ended the newcast by calling the people, telling them:
Dialogue: 0,0:02:13.65,0:02:19.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Stay with us. The public radio and television belong to you. Protect it."
Dialogue: 0,0:02:19.97,0:02:26.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The first thing we did was to secure the storage rooms, the equipment is sensitive and expensive.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:26.01,0:02:31.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We locked the storage rooms and gave the keys to the foreman.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:31.88,0:02:34.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,DOWN WITH THE JUNTA \NERT IS NOT SHUTTING DOWN
Dialogue: 0,0:02:39.18,0:02:45.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After the initial shock was over, after the initial indignation, after all those why's...
Dialogue: 0,0:02:45.37,0:02:48.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we said "no, we stay here and keep working"
Dialogue: 0,0:02:48.38,0:02:53.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We were in constant communication with the Ymittos broadcast station and the office supervisor
Dialogue: 0,0:02:53.21,0:02:56.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to see what we could do to keep the programme running.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:56.05,0:02:59.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We were doing our shift at the Ymittos broadcast station and at some point around 10.30 pm
Dialogue: 0,0:02:59.82,0:03:02.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a riot police platoon showed up
Dialogue: 0,0:03:02.40,0:03:08.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They cut down the fence and showed up at the building gates.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:08.74,0:03:14.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After some time, I can't recall how much time passed exactly, must have been around 10 pm
Dialogue: 0,0:03:14.37,0:03:23.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we saw the riot police vehicles approaching the central entrance of the Katehaki building and they wanted to enter
Dialogue: 0,0:03:23.65,0:03:28.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The guard asked them for a warrant from the public prosecutor, as it is normally done in cases like this
Dialogue: 0,0:03:28.42,0:03:33.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but they said they didn't have one and stayed outside waiting, supposedly, for the warrant to arrive.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:33.55,0:03:36.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The warrant never arrived, at least until we left.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:36.25,0:03:41.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,At gunpoint, we let the technician they had with them disconnect the transmitters
Dialogue: 0,0:03:41.89,0:03:47.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We collected our personal belongings, all this at gunpoint.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:47.90,0:03:53.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then two police cars escorted us off the mountain.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:53.93,0:03:59.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Knowing how all this happened, with the cutting down of the fences and the guns
Dialogue: 0,0:03:59.83,0:04:04.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we realised we had to prepare ourselves and see how we should act.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:04.70,0:04:09.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We discussed it among us and took the decision to hide at a spot nearby and not leave the broadcast station.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:09.94,0:04:15.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so that they wouldn't arrest us in this area and get the same treatment as the people at the Ymittos broadcast station.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:15.38,0:04:20.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But soon we learned that our signal was cut anyway, possibly some sort of interference,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:20.35,0:04:22.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by some van, we don't know from where exactly
Dialogue: 0,0:04:22.86,0:04:25.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we waited to see what will happen
Dialogue: 0,0:04:25.97,0:04:28.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We were anxious, all the colleagues here,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:28.38,0:04:33.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we kept informing the studio of any developments
Dialogue: 0,0:04:33.01,0:04:36.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we told them how our transmitters, one by one, our signal collapsed
Dialogue: 0,0:04:39.99,0:04:42.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,From the moment the signal was down and the screens went black
Dialogue: 0,0:04:42.49,0:04:46.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we tried to organise, put something on people's screens
Dialogue: 0,0:04:46.23,0:04:49.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we kept switching to alternative solutions
Dialogue: 0,0:04:49.19,0:04:54.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Either through satellite or ERT World we kept broadcasting from our stations
Dialogue: 0,0:04:54.01,0:05:00.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We learned that the Parnitha station went down and the Ymittos station also went down with the riot police going in.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:00.33,0:05:06.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Then we tried to organise the stations away from urban centres, so that some people could watch the programme
Dialogue: 0,0:05:06.69,0:05:09.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Then I received another phone call, another blow.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:09.53,0:05:12.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I come from a small island near the border, Leros.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:12.34,0:05:17.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had given the mayor there an emergency number, in case of an important event going on
Dialogue: 0,0:05:17.45,0:05:24.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then we could relay his messages, since it's a remote island, as ERT must do.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:24.97,0:05:32.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He tells me, "Mihalis, the ERT signal is gone and in their place we only see Turkish channels"
Dialogue: 0,0:05:32.22,0:05:42.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Our first move, us radio directors, was to meet and decide collectively that the Greek radio will not go silent.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:42.93,0:05:56.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Since we were charged with central control, we strived to keep the programme feeds of all the channels on the air, by any means.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:56.06,0:06:09.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,At some point, when we were at the Katehaki building, we were asked to find two radio transmitters. We did so and carefully sent them to Agia Paraskevi
Dialogue: 0,0:06:09.55,0:06:15.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so we could connect directly with the transmitters and keep broadcasting our programme.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:15.50,0:06:26.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So we managed, with resourcefulness and thanks to the specialised knowledge of our technicians
Dialogue: 0,0:06:26.71,0:06:34.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we are still on air and informing the Greek public even now
Dialogue: 0,0:06:34.85,0:06:38.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,all that is going on with the public broadcasting company
Dialogue: 0,0:06:38.50,0:06:42.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,During the same time that our signal kept going down
Dialogue: 0,0:06:42.73,0:06:50.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,friends and supporters of public broadcasting started re-broadcasting our programme
Dialogue: 0,0:06:50.81,0:06:55.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The University of Athens, we are very thankful to them, was with us from the get go.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:55.90,0:07:00.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That same night, they set up our programme to be broadcast via the Internet.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:00.65,0:07:11.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Radio stations of Attica and the rest of Greece, also abroad, united with us so the signal would not stop
Dialogue: 0,0:07:11.41,0:07:25.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The police came to the Katehaki building to guard it and the police sergeant announced that we should leave.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:25.97,0:07:31.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They broke down the door, they cut it down, I don't even know how,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:31.85,0:07:39.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they went to the 7th, 8th, 9th floor where the transmitters are
Dialogue: 0,0:07:39.66,0:07:43.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they destroyed the locks, so they could replace them with locks of their own
Dialogue: 0,0:07:43.32,0:08:01.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We reach the gate, the sergeant told me that we should leave and that the building is now under their responsibility
Dialogue: 0,0:08:01.76,0:08:07.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The next day at around 4 pm I decided to return to my home
Dialogue: 0,0:08:07.70,0:08:10.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I rode my motor bike and tried to leave the premises.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:10.92,0:08:16.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The police that stopped me were quizzical
Dialogue: 0,0:08:16.25,0:08:18.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Where did you come from?" they asked.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:18.80,0:08:20.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I told them "I was in my office and working"
Dialogue: 0,0:08:20.52,0:08:27.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They replied "And how come you were there, how is it possible you were working? when did you come here?"
Dialogue: 0,0:08:27.89,0:08:32.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I told them I was there since the day before.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:32.44,0:08:34.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"And where did you sleep?"; "But I didn't sleep, I had work to do"
Dialogue: 0,0:08:43.57,0:08:54.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After the shock was over, the process of self-managing all this building, the workers, the equipment, the studios
Dialogue: 0,0:08:54.18,0:09:01.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We needed, above all, to protect them and also for the shop to keep running.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:01.10,0:09:10.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We are not police or the army, we are simple citizens, who for all these years we were working as sound technicians, electricians, camera operators
Dialogue: 0,0:09:10.54,0:09:17.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and suddenly, because of this government, we were called to play the role of the police or the army
Dialogue: 0,0:09:17.60,0:09:21.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we made up shifts for guard duty and divided between us colleagues
Dialogue: 0,0:09:21.90,0:09:25.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Generally, we had to do all this self-management,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:25.54,0:09:35.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and apart from all our pains and worries from being laid off, this gave us a lot of strength
Dialogue: 0,0:09:35.14,0:09:41.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I would like to add that our relationships became much closer
Dialogue: 0,0:10:02.26,0:10:07.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is the first floor, where the public broadcaster music groups and the Radio Third Programme are.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:07.92,0:10:10.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It is the floor of culture.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:10.46,0:10:14.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is something we would like to take advantage of
Dialogue: 0,0:10:14.06,0:10:16.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We don't want it to stop
Dialogue: 0,0:10:16.14,0:10:21.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We wanted to start up this great engine that we have at our disposal
Dialogue: 0,0:10:21.18,0:10:24.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I hope the authorities will reconsider
Dialogue: 0,0:10:24.74,0:10:26.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's not bad to admit to one's mistakes.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:26.89,0:10:29.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Even those who have the best intentions can make mistakes.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:29.18,0:10:31.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's not bad to apologise when a blunder is made
Dialogue: 0,0:10:40.66,0:10:46.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For some people, not only the workers of ERT, our work is our life.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:46.76,0:10:56.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We have chosen to do the work that we like and makes us happy and we are paid like all other workers.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:56.68,0:11:02.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Our wages are like all other workers. We'd like people to come and ask us.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:02.58,0:11:10.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So they can get to know us, to see we are not monsters, we are not out of this world. So they can see our payslip.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:10.61,0:11:16.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I know I must work for the jobless, for all these people outside.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:16.65,0:11:23.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The ERT programme must go on, flawless, and delivered to the Greek viewer.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:23.01,0:11:27.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is the first time ERT became so open to the public.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:27.01,0:11:35.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,People come and visit, they look around, they're curious about the offices, the studios.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:35.14,0:11:37.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They want to get to know us closely.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:37.21,0:11:40.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The response from the public was immediate. People started coming to the ERT building.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:40.68,0:11:47.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Crowds had gathered outside the Mesogeion building in just two hours.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:47.16,0:11:52.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Either through the internet or the regional stations, we achieved the impossible.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:52.05,0:11:55.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The signal was broadcast, the people could listen to the radio
Dialogue: 0,0:11:55.41,0:12:00.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we could inform them continuously for anything that was happening at ERT
Dialogue: 0,0:12:00.60,0:12:04.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As for the black screens, since many people already talk about it,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:04.58,0:12:08.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I personally have not seen it at all. I was here at the control room, we kept broadcasting,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:08.65,0:12:15.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I never saw any black screens and I never switched on the TV at home since.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:15.52,0:12:20.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,ERT is about an idea. It's not about Dimitris, it's about the idea. ERT is all of Greece.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:20.93,0:12:26.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Isn't it possible to fix the mistakes of all these years
Dialogue: 0,0:12:26.00,0:12:30.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,put our house in order with ERT remaining open?
Dialogue: 0,0:12:30.91,0:12:33.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Isn't it possible to put our house in order with ERT open?
Dialogue: 0,0:12:33.70,0:12:44.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We insist to remain working for the public broadcast operator.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:44.41,0:12:56.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We insist that we still want the signal to be broadcast
Dialogue: 0,0:12:56.01,0:13:00.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we will not lay our weapons down
Dialogue: 0,0:13:00.81,0:13:10.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We keep fighting, not for keeping our jobs, promises or threats
Dialogue: 0,0:13:10.14,0:13:16.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We insist that the fight is still on, we're still in the game
Dialogue: 0,0:13:16.37,0:13:19.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We try, with our own strength and the support of the public,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:19.65,0:13:23.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of all people who are rational and believe that what is going on is unfair
Dialogue: 0,0:13:23.89,0:13:32.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They can't censor the truth, they can't censor democracy.