Media organizations condemn Top Channel fine

TIRANA, June 23 – International media organizations have condemned a court decision against an Albanian television station. The judge in the case ruled that Top Channel must pay 400,000 euros for a video showing a former government minister allegedly sexually harassing a woman looking for a job.
Last week, the Tirana court found Top Channel TV station liable for damages because the video, showing former Culture Minister Ylli Pango at his home asking a woman to strip to see whether she would do for the job, had been obtained illegally.
Pango, who was immediately fired from the post, sued the TV station.
The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organization, SEEMO, on Wednesday condemned the “exorbitant fine” violating the media “goal of providing information that is in the public interest.”
In March 2009, Top Channel TV aired recordings made during the investigative program Fisk Fare showing Pango having private meetings with female job applicants. One of the meetings was held at his private villa in Tirana. During the meeting the recording appears to show a woman being repeatedly asked to take her clothes off. The airing of the recordings instantly triggered a chain of reactions throughout Albania.
“SEEMO strongly condemns the court verdict, as Top Channel TV has to pay an exorbitant fine,” said SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic. “This was a matter of public interest, and we urge that the court verdict be annulled. Top Channel TV should not been charged in the first place. The media functions as an important pillar of democratic society by performing its work in the interest of the public.”
“Investigative reporting permits members of the public to access a wide range of information, in turn allowing the necessary public debate of issues that affect them. SEEMO supports Top Channel TV’s decision to appeal in court,” said Vujovic.
SEEMO would like to emphasize that, when journalists are limited to publishing only those articles approved for publication by the government or international institutions they essentially function as spokespersons for those entities – a role at complete odds with their goal of providing information that is in the public interest.
Albania’s post-communist fledgling independent press frequently complains of being targeted in politically motivated attacks from authorities.
Reporters Without Borders also condemned the court decision.
“We are stunned by the court’s ruling and by the unprecedented damages award,” Reporters Without Borders said. “Blatant abuse of authority by a government minister is a subject of public interest and the press must be free to cover it.Top Channel’s decision to broadcast this video was totally justified and perfectly legitimate.”
“This decision is unacceptable and constitutes a serious violation of media freedom. We hope the judicial system will demonstrate its real independence by quashing this unjustified damages award and dismissing the case,” it said.