ABSTRACT
This chapter investigates two distinct cases in Greece deemed as major public affairs and disinformation scandals, to the detriment of public interest. Firstly, the notorious bribery case of Novartis, where kickbacks were paid to doctors and allegedly to government officials. Secondly, the recent wiretapping case, where journalists, political leaders, and citizens were targeted. Both cases triggered enormous public disputes, highly controversial reporting, and polarised politicisation, notably by mainstream media. This study endeavours to demonstrate the collusion between state functionaries and private media, especially with political officials and parties in power; a phenomenon turned emblematic in the Greek political and media landscape and evolved due to market-driven conditions and excessive entanglement of political and business interests. Special source knowledge and assessments are retrieved and used through interviews with involved individuals in the selected cases or with expertise in the modus operandi of Greek power politics. The insight extracted is critical for a deeper understanding of the consequences state-undertaken disinformation tactics have on democracy in the country of its ancient birth. The chapter concludes by associating the two cases, pointing to forces of Greece's political economy, which are at the root of its democracy deficit, and the arch-factor of its undoing.
