18 made redundant as Mega takes over Logos

By Athena Karsera

LOGOS executives yesterday confirmed that there had been dismissals at the station this week following its takeover by Greek channel Mega.

A Logos executive, who did not want to be named, yesterday confirmed reports that 18 journalists and technical staff had been fired on Tuesday.

In its original bid to run the channel, Mega had promised to keep 70 per cent of the station’s current staff and fully to equip the channel for the ten-year rental period. It had been widely understood, however, that there would be no job losses.

Redundancy letters signed by Logos’ board president Andreas Phillipou on Tuesday told employees: “Within the framework of the management deal we signed, Mega channel has informed us that, based on its management plans, it does not require and therefore does not wish to continue any further co- operation with you, in an attempt for more organised programming.”

The dismissals stood from Tuesday and all those fired were given appropriate compensation, the Logos executive said yesterday.

Unconfirmed reports from journalism circles, however, said the dismissals could rise to 30 and could include management.

The takeover was announced on September 7, with the private Greek channel paying £560,000-a-year in rent to the Orthodox Church, which owns Logos.

Mega starts broadcasting on the old Logos frequency on Friday.

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