German media pounced this week on footage of Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis raising a middle finger for foreign debt managers during a presentation on his country’s debt crisis. The man who filmed the talk says the clip was taken out of context to divert public attention from the substance of the crisis.

“His point was related to events from 2010, when he was in favor of a Greek default within the Eurozone,” said Martin Beros, who filmed Varoufakis’ 57-minute talk. “But this was taken out of context in order to make it seem that he is in favor of not repaying the debt owed to Germany and giving Germany the finger.

“Therefore, the serious political and economic situation that we are faced with in Europe, is being presented as if it is reducible to gestures and posturing. It is one thing if comedians … cut out things out of context to make a joke. It is quite another thing when the global media sphere limits the debate to sensationalism such as this.”

— Posted by Alexander Reed Kelly.

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