TIRANA, June 22 – A delegation of seven international press freedom organizations published on Friday a preliminary report on the difficulties Albanian journalists face.
The report stressed that press freedom in Albania has deteriorated and the government is not transparent, while politicians use derogatory language against the media.
The report was published under a joint mission held in Tirana by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), Article 19, the Committee for the Protection of Journalists (CPJ), the European Journalists Federation (EJF), the International Press Institute (IPI), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Media Organization in South East Europe (SEEMO).
Sarah Clarke, belonging to the “Article 19” organization, said during a follow-up press conference that the mission is concerned about journalists’ self-censorship and is shocked by the close ties between politicians, media owners and interest groups and the sources behind media funding – all elements which make the journalist’s work difficult when preparing articles against corruption and legal violations.
After a series of meetings with media and government representatives, they noted that Albania is not fulfilling domestic law obligations, as well as her obligations as a member of the Council of Europe, the OSCE and aspirations as a European Union member state.
“Compared to the region, Albania is one of the countries with the greatest problems regarding press freedom,” said Oliver Vujovic from the SEEMO organization.
The report notes that physical attacks on journalists have not been investigated, while senior public officials often use insulting and demeaning language against critical journalists.
Attila Mong, belonging to the Committee for the Protection of Journalists, said the mission has noticed a reluctance of Albanian journalists to denounce cases of pressure on them, because they fear that they may suffer even worse if they denounce them.
Meanwhile, Scott Griffen from the International Press Institute said that currently in Europe and the Balkans, governments are struggling to hamper independent reporting and keep journalists from being critical by imposing their own messages.
“We have also noticed this in Albania. This should not be accepted because it is not normal. Governments can give their opinion, but the reporter is free to reflect the story from his implied point of view,” Griffen said.
The delegation reported that “Albanian public administration, from Tirana’s prime minister and mayor’s office, is not transparent with the media and restricting of critical journalists point of view.”
“The recently proposed media legislation, including a draconian scheme of rules for Albanian and foreign media on the Internet, does not comply with international human rights standards,” the report also read.
The delegation gathered information and held meetings with journalists, editors, representatives of civil society, international organizations, embassies in Tirana, senior government officials and Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Mayor of Tirana Erjon Veliaj refused to meet the delegation.
“Defamation jail sentences were abolished in 2012, but defamation and insult remain criminal offenses punishable by a fine and in recent years there have been proposals to reintroduce criminal convictions for defamation against senior state officials in the criminal code,” the delegation said.
The delegation voiced concern over the increasing number of politically motivated libel lawsuits, filed by politicians and seeking high reparations.
“Even without the threat of imprisonment, the possibility of facing a criminal conviction can push journalists to self-censorship,” the coalition said. “We encourage Albania to abolish all criminal laws for defamation and insult,” he said.
