Ethnos Newspaper: A Century of Greek Journalism
For over a hundred years, Ethnos has served as a significant voice in the Greek media landscape. From its origins as a political vehicle to its transition into a digital-first news platform, the publication has mirrored the turbulent and evolving political history of Greece.
The Political Roots and Evolution
Established in 1913, Ethnos began its journey with a Venizelist political thesis, referring to the liberal political movement led by Eleftherios Venizelos. Throughout its history, the newspaper maintained a position within the progressive political spectrum, providing support to figures such as Georgios Papandreou and the Center Union party.
The publication's trajectory was not without interruption. During the Greek military junta—the authoritarian regime that ruled from 1967 to 1974—Ethnos was forced to cease publication. It remained dormant until 1981, when Dimitris Varos relaunched the title as a modern, color tabloid.
Ownership and Financial Transitions
For many years, the newspaper was under the ownership of Pegasus Publishing SA. However, a major shift occurred in 2017 when the publication was sold to Dimera Media Investments, a company owned by Ivan Savvidis. Reports indicate that Dimera acquired both the daily and Sunday editions of Ethnos for a sum of 3 million euros.
Following the acquisition, Dimitris Maris served as the publisher from September 2017 until March 2018.
The Shift to Digital Media
As reading habits shifted globally, Ethnos faced the decline of its print editions. The daily newspaper stopped circulating on July 31, 2019, followed by the cessation of the Sunday edition on August 9, 2020.
Despite the end of its physical printing, the publication successfully pivoted to an online-only model. The website, Ethnos.gr, continues to produce unique content, delivering over 150 daily news reports, opinion pieces, and deep analytical articles.
The digital transition proved highly successful. In March 2020, the website recorded 7,348,731 unique users, securing its position among the top ten most popular news websites in Greece.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1913 with a Venizelist political orientation.
- Political Stance: Historically progressive, supporting the Center Union and Georgios Papandreou.
- Print End Dates: Daily edition ceased July 31, 2019; Sunday edition ceased August 9, 2020.
- Acquisition: Purchased by Dimera Media Investments (Ivan Savvidis) in 2017 for 3 million euros.
- Digital Reach: Over 7.3 million unique visitors in March 2020.
| Year/Period | Event | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1913 | Foundation | Launched with Venizelist political thesis |
| 1967-1974 | Forced Closure | Stopped publishing during the military junta |
| 1981 | Relaunch | Dimitris Varos introduced color tabloid format |
| 2017 | Ownership Change | Sold to Dimera Media Investments for 3 million euros |
| 2019-2020 | Print Cessation | Daily and Sunday editions stopped circulating |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Ethnos first published?
Ethnos was first published in 1913, initially adopting a Venizelist political thesis.
Why did the newspaper stop publishing in the 1960s?
The newspaper was forced to stop publishing during the Greek military junta, which lasted from 1967 to 1974.
Who currently owns Ethnos?
Ethnos was sold in 2017 to Dimera Media Investments, which is owned by Ivan Savvidis.
Does Ethnos still have a printed newspaper?
No. The daily edition stopped circulating on July 31, 2019, and the Sunday edition ceased on August 9, 2020.
How successful is the Ethnos digital platform?
The digital platform is highly successful; in March 2020, it attracted over 7.3 million unique users, ranking it among the top ten news websites in Greece.