Greece has vowed to reopen its state broadcaster, ERT, after shutting it down in an effort to save money.

The government took ERT off the air early Wednesday, after announcing the shutdown Tuesday. The government has not given a date for the relaunch.

Thousands of protesters rallied outside ERT’s Athens headquarters to protest the closing and the firing of 2,500 employees, while journalists in the shuttered building continued to produce a live broadcast streamed online.

The government said ERT was a case of “incredible waste” and the shutdown would save taxpayers money. Greece is struggling to shore up its finances and meet the terms of an international bailout.

Greek journalist unions have called for strikes until ERT is reopened.

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is facing opposition from his coalition partners — the Socialist PASOK and the Democratic Left Party — over the closing.

Opposition leader Alexis Tsipras said he will meet with President Karolos Papoulias Wednesday to protest the decision. [Read More]

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Source: VOA News: Disasters and Accidents