There are some who believe that the government shut down these stations as a political favor to powerful publishing and media groups, whose stations, for the most part, remained on the air others argued that the licensing process was legally inconsistent. In March 2001, the Greek government closed approximately 60 of 90+ FM stations operating in the Athens area, citing potential interference to frequencies to be used by the new Athens International Airport. Most broadcast on the FM band the AM band has been almost entirely abandoned by broadcasters, with the exception of State-run media and a few other stations. Greece has over 1,000 radio stations operating with a certificate of temporary legality.
