The Greek crisis: on the ground and on Twitter
Last night I responded sharply to an anonymous Greek troll known as @GreekAnalyst, comparing his right-wing network of abusive and unaccountable people, who are reveling in their own country’s destruction, to those who collaborated with the Germans in World War Two.
I have observed this network, on numerous occasions attempt to amplify the distress and panic in Greece by reporting for example, bank runs and food shortages, that at an earlier stage were absent. Their rumour machine was in full swing last night, causing distress to people I was meeting.
I regret causing this furore because it distracts from the fundamental issues. I contacted the Greek analyst offering to revise my judgement about him if he were to reveal his identity, party affiliation and employer.
In the absence of a response, all I can do is explain the context. For the best part of four weeks people on both the right and left of Greek internet have been abusing me, aiming vile abuse against myself, friends and anybody associated with me in Greece. I know other senior journalists that this is happening to, from all sides.
One occasion this spilled over into two Greek businessmen verbally abusing me and physically obstructing me in a hotel lobby, requiring me to adjust my public profile thereafter.
I understand there is rage on all sides in Greece today, and in future I will learn not to feed the trolls.