(Video Courtesy of Alexis Tsipras' Channel on YouTube)
During his speech, the Greek Prime Minister mentions how the opposition, i.e. the New Democracy, accuses SYRIZA of launching a "coup." Also, Tsipras mentions how others have mentioned of a "NO" leading to a "Grexit." Needless to say, neither is Tsipras' intention.
However, the same rhetoric pervades much of media coverage, including the coverage in Japan. For example, the July 2, 2015 edition of Japan's largest newspaper, Yomiuri Shimbum, states over and over again that SYRIZA is likely to exit the euro and the EU because of their failure to provide a viable solution. The Yomiuri Shimbum even printed a small diagram which outlines the possible future scenarios depending on whether the Greek people vote "YES" or "NO." According to this diagram, a "YES" will lead to Tsipras stepping down, the previous government being re-elected, and the "viable austerity measures" being further implemented, while a "NO" will (apparently) inevitably lead to a Grexit, a "default," and other unknown catastrophes. Furthermore, the same newspaper interviews Greek citizens withdrawing money from the bank accounts, and shows how confused and "against Tsipras" the Greek people are - while the newspaper fails to interview anyone who is against austerity measures. To top it all off, Yomiuri Shimbum blames Tsipras for the cap on cash withdrawals placed on Greek citizens. As Tsipras' speech makes it clear, the cap was not put in place by the Greek government.
In short, not only Yomiuri Shimbum, but almost all major Japanese newspapers are wrong on facts and are biased in their opinion polls.
As Tsipras notes in his speech, the Greek people really are being blackmailed from all sides. First, the media fail to not only define what a "viable solution" is, but even accuses SYRIZA for somehow being responsible for the crisis in the first place. Second, the media fail to mention exactly what the IMF, Merkel, and others are demanding of Greece, and why SYRIZA is rejecting some of their proposals. Thirdly, the ECB directly attacked the Greek people by placing a cap on how much money they can withdraw per day, and then made it appear as if this was Tsipras' decision.
Therefore, the average Greek citizen (who does not search online for accurate information but only relies on major news websites, newspapers, and television channels) experiences this crisis as follows: first, they are told that Tsipras' party is responsible. Second, they take a direct financial blow. Third, they are told that if they voted "YES" then they will get their money back and Tsipras will be removed from power.
Since this is the experience, it requires something of a heroic determination for such a citizen to vote "NO." It will require rational thought and accurate information. It will require seeing through exactly what the big media and the banks are doing to forge an emotional reaction amongst the Greek people. As of July 2, 2015, Tsipras' speech has less than 3,000 views. This is absolutely bizarre. I hope that at least those who have seen the speech in Greece are telling their friends and relatives what the referendum really is all about, and how they should not make a decision based on the negative sentiments that were forged by the creditors.
