Disciplinary Council of the Union of Editors of Athens Daily Newspapers (ESIEA) decided to delete it temporarily Giorgos Liagas.
The decision relates to the coverage of the morning show “The Morning” presented by ANT1, about the death of the footballer George Baldock. The screening of a film from the deceased footballer’s home and the presenter’s specific comments led to ex officio intervention by the ESIEA Central Disciplinary Council. After the examination of witnesses and the apology of Giorgos Liagas, it was decided to delete it for a year due to a violation of the rules of conduct.
It is recalled that George Baldock, Greek and English footballer, international with the Greek National Team, was found dead in his home in Glyfada on 9 October 2024.
The report caused reactions
Hours after the tragic death of 31-year-old footballer George Baldock, who was found unconscious in his swimming pool, the show tackled aspects of the property where he lived. Specifically, Giorgos Liagas had given a detailed report on the Villa where the Panathinaikos footballer was found dead.
Watch the video
On X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, there was a strong response to the promotion of this specific subject. Most expressed their anger, considering it insulting and inhumane to focus journalistic attention on minor issues, such as the size of the deceased’s house, instead of paying due respect to the memory of a young man who died too soon .
The presenter’s apology on the show
The following day Giorgos Liagas apologized for the report, and was preceded by a post on his personal Instagram account.
As he said on Friday morning, October 11, on the “Breakfast” show: “There are many excuses, I won’t say any, the mistake I made, I take it on myself, it goes beyond any excuse. I made a mistake yesterday and I take all the responsibility and ask to leave out any answer that is justified by the partners and the environment”. Continuing he spoke of it “absolutely wrong journalistic choice. The report should under no circumstances contain evidence, not that it was bad, about the apartment and how it was.”
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“I didn’t sleep last night. When my house was burnt down 2-3 weeks ago and I saw a report, I said that a drama cannot be a report of a lifestyle. I looked for you there and I fell into the same trap and more because we are not talking about a house that burned down and is being restored, but about human life. A big, completely unnecessary mistake yesterday and I have been destroyed unintentionally, unintentionally, but the result is the same, we got married on a day dedicated to the memory of a man. Fortunately, the national team moved us yesterday and the Papantiaikos players paid tribute to Baldock’s unfair loss” Giorgos Liagas added and concluded: “I’m so sorry to everyone I’m upset, pissed off, put whatever word you want in front.”
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Interview Between Time.news Editor and Media Ethics Expert
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, and thank you for joining us. Today we have Dr. Maria Koufni, a media ethics expert, to discuss the recent incident involving Giorgos Liagas and the Disciplinary Council’s decision regarding his coverage of the tragic death of footballer George Baldock. Maria, can you share your thoughts on the council’s decision to suspend Liagas for a year?
Dr. Maria Koufni: Good afternoon, and thank you for having me. The decision to suspend Giorgos Liagas highlights the increasingly important discourse around media responsibility and ethical reporting. In this case, the coverage not only missed the mark in terms of sensitivity but also focused on aspects of Baldock’s property rather than the tragic nature of his death. Given the immense public backlash, the council’s decision reflects a necessary step towards holding media personalities accountable for their actions.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely, and it’s clear that public sentiment played a significant role in this development. Many people viewed Liagas’s reporting as disrespectful and inhumane. How critical do you think audience reactions can be in shaping media practices?
Dr. Maria Koufni: Audience reactions are incredibly important. They can lead to immediate consequences for media figures and organizations. Social media acts as a magnifier for public sentiment, and when audiences express their anger or disappointment—like they did following this incident—it sends a strong message to media outlets about the standards of behavior that their audiences expect. In this case, people felt that focusing on the deceased’s home size was distasteful and detracted from honoring his memory.
Time.news Editor: That’s a key point. It raises the question of how much responsibility journalists bear when reporting on sensitive topics. What do you believe are the fundamental principles that should guide journalists in such situations?
Dr. Maria Koufni: Fundamental principles include respect for the deceased and their families, empathy, and tactfulness. Journalists should be mindful of the context in which they’re reporting. In cases of tragedies, there should be a strong emphasis on dignity and sensitivity. Also, it’s essential to balance the public’s right to know with the responsibility to treat the subject matter with care, especially when it involves loss of life. Proper framing of the story can make a significant difference.
Time.news Editor: Reflecting on Liagas’s personal apology during his show, do you think public apologies make a meaningful impact in the media landscape?
Dr. Maria Koufni: Public apologies can indeed be impactful if they are genuine and reflect a deep understanding of the error made. It’s a way for the journalist to take responsibility and acknowledge the pain their actions may have caused. However, it’s essential that these apologies are not just a formality but are backed by a commitment to change and improve future reporting practices.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Maria, for your insights. Before we conclude, how can media organizations better prepare their teams to handle sensitive coverage in the future?
Dr. Maria Koufni: Media organizations should invest in ethics training that prepares journalists for covering sensitive topics. Establishing clear editorial guidelines that stress empathy and respect in these situations is also key. Mentorship programs where experienced journalists guide newer reporters on handling challenging stories can further instill these principles. Ultimately, it comes down to creating a newsroom culture that prioritizes ethical reporting above sensationalism.
Time.news Editor: It’s a thoughtful approach, and it’s clear that there’s a lot for media professionals to consider. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us today, Maria.
Dr. Maria Koufni: Thank you for having me; it’s been a pleasure discussing such an important topic.