Court fines TV station for ‘breach of privacy’

TIRANA, June 21 -Tirana’s District Court has fined private television station Top Channel 400,000 euros for broadcasting a tape last year showing former Culture Minister Ylli Pango allegedly asking for sexual favors from a young woman in exchange for a job.
Upon its broadcast, Pango was fired from the cabinet. He was not included at his political party’s list of candidates for the post of lawmaker. He is now working at a department of the same ministry.
Judge Agim Bendo approved the claim of the former minister for damages, ruling that the recording had been obtained illegally and the Top Channel was liable for damages.
The video and audio broadcast at the investigative program Fisk Fare showed Pango setting private meetings with two job applicants. One of the meetings was held in his private villa.
The minister did not deny the young woman had gone to his house but was determined to say he did not ask for sexual favors and also strongly supported his intimacy at home.