Greeks Strike over State TV Closure

Buses and trains across Greece have come to a standstill Thursday -- part of a 24-hour, nationwide general strike called by unions to protest the government's decision to shut down state broadcaster, ERT, as part of sweeping cost-cutting measures

The government took ERT off the air early Wednesday, after announcing the shutdown Tuesday. 

Greek journalist unions have called for their members to strike until ERT is reopened. 

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is facing opposition from his coalition partners -- the socialist PASOK and the Democratic Left Party -- because of the closing. 


Greece says the ERT closure is a temporary measure before a re-launch in a slimmed-down form. About 2,500 workers lost their jobs in the shutdown. The government has not given a reopening date. 

Greece is struggling to shore up its finances and meet the terms of an international bailout.