Rise of Propaganda in Greece spearheaded by 'Omada Alithias'

In the digital age, where information flows freely and rapidly, the role of media groups becomes increasingly significant. In Greece, one such group, Omada Alithias, has been making waves for its perceived strong alignment with the ruling party, led by Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Omada Alithias, also known as the Truth Team in Greek, gained traction in the early 2010s under Antonis Samaras, then president of the New Democracy party. The group started as a seemingly independent organization but evolved into a well-resourced communications network, reportedly connecting to private firms, political campaigns, and government ministries.

One of Omada Alithias' most notable controversies is its origin story, where they disseminated a falsified video related to a bombing incident at The Mall Athens in 2013. This incident cast a shadow over the group's credibility from the start.

The group has been accused of targeting critics, such as survivors of the 2023 Tempi train disaster, who criticized the government's handling of the situation. Maria Karystianou, a survivor and vocal critic of the Tempi train disaster, accused Omada Alithias of being a tool to assassinate characters, funded by public funds, and working for the benefit of the New Democracy party.

Reports have surfaced of overlaps between Blue Skies, a private communications firm, and key members of Omada Alithias. Blue Skies, which has reported connections to Omada Alithias, has over half its staff previously holding positions within the New Democracy party or being hired in government positions. Thanos Bakolas, appointed senior advisor to Prime Minister Mitsotakis, and Konstantinos Kyranakis, Deputy Minister, are among the Blue Skies staff with New Democracy ties.

Domna-Maria Michailidou, a current government minister, has been reportedly affiliated with Blue Skies, though this detail has been omitted from her public CVs. The name of the political consultant or political consulting firm closely linked to Omada Alithias, suspected to be an unofficial extension of the New Democracy party's communication strategy, is Prisma Consulting.

Blue Skies is suspected of operating as a de facto political slush fund for the ruling party, with most of its revenue channeled directly into payroll. This raises questions about the transparency and accountability of these groups.

Omada Alithias' operations are seen as a propaganda unit serving and protecting the interests of the New Democracy party. The activities of Omada Alithias reflect a broader trend in Greece towards digital authoritarianism, normalizing manipulation of information in democratic states.

It is crucial to investigate who funds, employs, and benefits from groups like Omada Alithias to understand who is shaping public reality. The group has been criticizing their opposition, such as SYRIZA, and smearing the previous government online for its failures.

In November 2022, Omada Alithias published videos online about the Polytechnic Uprising, reducing the Junta's accountability by sharing inaccurate information about the historical moment. This incident highlights the importance of maintaining factual accuracy in historical narratives.

As the digital media landscape continues to evolve, it is essential to maintain a critical eye towards groups like Omada Alithias. Their influence on public opinion and the potential for manipulation of information necessitates a closer examination of their operations and funding sources.