TIRANA, May 25 – The Electronic Media Association, which represents the largest television stations in the country, has reacted angrily to a law passed by parliament that forces television stations – both private and public – to give free advertisements to political parties and reject any paid political advertisements.
“This law was against the Constitution, which guarantees protection of the private property in Albania,” the association said in a statement, adding the law is unique in the entire world, forcing private media to serve political parties for free.
The law allots 90 minutes of free television ads for the two largest parties, and fewer minutes for smaller parties. Television stations are prohibited from showing paid political advertisements.
The association said appeals Albanian TV stations to not recognize this “thieving” law, drafted without any discussions with the interested parties, and decided by the new majority in full secrecy, within one afternoon.
The association appeals the majority to respect the current Electoral Code, otherwise they will file a complaint at the Constitutional Court and will address all international institutions, “denouncing it as a robbery of private property and violation of media freedoms.”
Shortly after the statement was issued, all 24-hour news channels in the country stopped showing live campaign coverage, in a move analysts interpreted as payback against the political establishment.
