TIRANA, May 12 May 2015 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović said this week reforms were needed to improve media freedoms in Albania and have a better public service broadcaster.
During a two-day visit to Tirana visit she also addressed media pluralism and media concentration, especially during the process of digitalization, independence of the broadcast regulator, journalists’ labor rights and Internet freedom, according an OSCE press release.
“Like many other OSCE participating States, Albania would benefit from a higher degree of media independence,” Mijatović said. “Politicians and business owners should stop manipulating media and institutions such as AMA and let journalists and professionals do their job professionally and independently for the benefit of the Albanian public.”
Mijatović emphasized the importance of strengthening the public service broadcaster and its independence.
“The newly established steering board should now use the positive developments by appointing a director and moving ahead with much needed structural reforms to strengthen the functioning and independence of the public service broadcaster,” Mijatović said.
In her meetings with senior government officials, the representative also raised her concern about the proposal to delete the article 62 in the Law on Audio-visual media services regulating media concentration, and amendments to the civil code that would make website owners legally responsible for online comments.
“The proposal to amend the Audiovisual law could have a very long-term and negative effect on media pluralism, especially in the context of the forthcoming digital licensing process,” Mijatović said.
In her meetings with journalists and members of civil society, Mijatović discussed the implementation of the Law on Access to Information, and labor rights of journalists. She also noted the Union of Albanian Journalists’ recent report on social and economic issues faced by the journalists.
“Access to official information and ensuring their labor rights allow journalists to perform their duty as public watchdogs to ensure that authorities at all levels are accountable,” Mijatović said.
