Greek journalists on strike in response to austerity measures

ATHENS, Greece, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Journalists in Greece went on a 24-hour strike Wednesday to protest government austerity measures.

The media blackout was launched a day before Thursday's planned nationwide strike.

Websites, daily newspapers, radio and television shut down at 6 a.m. local time. The journalist union ESHEA announced there would also be no newspapers published Thursday.

Journalists are protesting government austerity measures that have led to cuts to pensions and benefits, and firings. Reportedly, hundreds of journalists have not been paid for months.

The media protest comes as Greek officials announced Wednesday that a meeting with international creditors from the European Union, European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund failed to reach a deal concerning Greece's austerity and reform program. Despite the impasse, European Commission representative Declan Costello asserted "we will continue our dialogue intensively."

Economic crisis struck Greece in 2009. Eurozone partners and the IMF provided two successive bail outs that demanded, in return, Greece undertake tough austerity measures and extensive economic reform.