Greek journalists strike over govt pension plans

ATHENS, Oct 1 (Reuters) - Greek journalists created a news blackout on Wednesday after they went on a 24-hour strike to protest against the conservative government's unpopular reforms to the cash-strapped pension system.

Hundreds of photographers, broadcasters and print journalists gathered outside parliament to demonstrate against measures to overhaul state pension funds.

Greece is one of several European countries facing a pension shortfall due to an ageing population. The potential deficit is estimated at about 460 billion euros ($650.7 billion), about twice current GDP.

"Take your hands off our funds or you will never see another photograph," chanted members of the Greek photographers union. Other journalists waved flags reading: "Don't allow the robbery of our funds -- make the government unemployed!"

Television channels aired films and pre-recorded material as Greece's normal day-time TV diet of talk shows was suspended, while radio stations played back-to-back music. The press offices of government departments and companies were closed.

The pension reform, approved by parliament in March, is a cornerstone of the ruling New Democracy party's efforts to modernise Greece's economy.

The plan won plaudits from investors but angered powerful unions and government rebels and Wednesday's protest was one of many this year against the reform, which merges Greece's 133 private sector pension funds into 13.

It raises the retirement age, eliminates supplementary pensions and gives incentives to employees to work more years.