The Greek government is set to close down the country’s public broadcaster and re-open it with fewer employees, Kathimerini understands.

Sources said that Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has already taken the decision to pull the plug on the broadcaster in its current form and the government has started drawing up the relevant legislation.

ERT currently employees 2,800 people. It is not clear how many employees will remain but sources indicated it would be a fraction of those in work at the moment.

Greece has to fire 2,000 civil servants by the end of the year and 15,000 by the end of 2014.

The broadcaster runs three nationwide TV channels, as well as a satellite channel aimed at Greek expatriates, a HD channel and a channel of Greek parliamentary affairs. `It also broadcasts four national radio stations.

Via: http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_1_11/06/2013_503874