Malcolm Wright of the British and Commonwealth Business and Professional Group of Thessaloniki has set up an online petition protesting at the intended closure of the Athens News.
The petition reads:
To: The Lambrakis Foundation
After nearly 57 years in circulation, the Athens News is under threat of closure. On September 25 it was announced by the Lambrakis Press, which has managed this newspaper since it entered the Lambrakis Foundation in 1993 that it will wind up the operation, possibly as early as Friday 3 October.
The staff are currently engaged in an effort to extend that deadline in order to find new investors to take over the title, archive and books. But it is impossible for any serious investor to carry out due diligence and responsibly and formally register their interest to the current owners within a week. They need an extension of at least a month, in which to make contact with the various potential investors currently reviewing the balance sheet and business plan.
It is felt that a move to pull out the rug from under an independent newspaper which has served the thinking public since 1952 should not stand.
We are therefore appealing to you, the community they exist to serve, to support the case to preserve the newspaper by signing this petition to allow time for an extension for a new owner to be found.
If you would like to sign the petition, please click here.
6 Comments
October 1, 2008 at 4:23 am
Being born in New York and living in the New York, the Athens News has been a way for me to keep in touch with what is happening in Greece.
Give the editors more time to find another buyer.
Just like in your last article, let Athens News have a chance just like Olympic Airlines just recently got.
thank you
steven kleopoulos
October 1, 2008 at 10:20 am
While living and working in Greece for 15 years, I would have been totally lost without the Athens News because even though I am Greek Born, being adopted by a Canadian lady meant I grew up not knowing our language. People from all over the world, Greek people, foreign people depend on our one and only english newspaper not only the physical paper but also on line.
Please do not take away our only way of understanding what is going on at home ! Change takes time – do not make the mistake of closing down !!!
Maria Flessa
Athens, Greece
October 4, 2008 at 9:21 pm
ARGHHHHHH PLEASE DONT CLOSE DOWN!!!!!!
We would all be so lost without Athens news… What can we do to help? I feel gutted and know many more who are also.
PLEASE in next edition let us all know what to do to help.
October 5, 2008 at 9:42 am
The demise of “Athens News” would immeasurably impoverish the lives of English-speaking people resident in Greece. We have long become accustomed to its invaluable assistance with the practicalities of life here, and its presentation of, and interpretation of, Greek news and culture.
October 6, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Please tell us what we, the readers, can do to help to save the historic and civilised Athens News!
October 15, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Dear All,
Could I ask what will become of the Athens News beloved book titles? I am a great fan of Brian Church’s books, as well as the travel books and of course, John Carr and Paul Anastasi’s “Your Eyes 14.” I was hoping to buy several of these for Christmas presents for friends. What will become of them if the paper closes down? Will I still be able to buy them – if so where?