ATHENS – Media and human rights groups in Europe lambasted a European Commission report they said was lenient on Greece’s rule of law record, the country having the worst standing in media freedom, and two suspects in the murder of journalist Giorgos Karaivaz acquitted.

The 14 groups said the commission “misleads readers” by “glossing over critical issues,” complaining the report – which acknowledged shortcomings in media independence and suits against journalists, “fails to grasp the severity of the ongoing crisis.”

“The overly positive account in the report starkly contrasts an alarming reality experienced by journalists, activists, and civil society organizations on the ground,” the statement said in its criticism.

It added that the commission findings “disproportionately focuses on positive developments, without weighing them against the broader systemic issues and ongoing violations. This raises concerns about the Commission’s willingness to confront the depth of the crisis in a European Union member state.”

“By glossing over critical issues in Greece facing the media and civil society, the European Commission’s findings risk emboldening the Greek government’s crackdown on independent media and civil society,” they said.

They also pointed to a Supreme Court prosecutor clearing all state officials and agencies in not having anything to do with the use of Predator spyware that targeted reporters, business executives, politicians and some military leaders.

“A lack of media pluralism, including inappropriate government control over state media, and collusion between media owners and political interests lead to a pervasive climate of censorship and self-censorship, which further distorts the media landscape and undermines journalistic independence,” they added.