Greece’s media watchdog, the National Council for Radio and Television (NCRTV), has summoned three prominent trap artists – Snik, Toquel, and Rack – along with their record labels (Capital Music, Alphapop Records, and Mad House Records) to a hearing regarding potentially harmful content.
The hearing, initially scheduled for November 13, 2024, has been postponed to December 9th to allow the artists and labels time to prepare their defense.
The NCRTV investigation centers on whether the artists’ lyrics and music videos violate Law 4779/2021, which prohibits content that could negatively impact the moral development of minors or incite violence and hatred. The council specifically flagged content allegedly promoting drug use, violence, and a “gangster lifestyle.”
While the musicians maintain their work constitutes artistic expression, critics argue it glorifies criminal behavior. Potential penalties for violations include substantial fines of up to €500,000 and potential bans from platforms like YouTube.
This case highlights the ongoing debate surrounding freedom of expression and the challenges of consistently enforcing content guidelines on online platforms.
