Rally in defense of press freedom

TIRANA, April 13 – Thousands of people gathered in Tirana’s main Skanderbeg square on Friday in protest against government pressure on the news media. Prime Minister Sali Berisha has accused certain media of being in the service of organized crime and, a few weeks ago, the judicial authorities began investigating some news media on suspicion of tax evasion. Press representatives claim that only media critical of the government are being targeted. The rally was organized by Mjaft! nongovernmental organization and was also supported by the opposition. Erion Veliaj of the NGO harshly attacked the government’ attack on the media. The protest was held in the form of a concert with the participation of some well-known singers like Irma and Eranda Libohova, Produkt 28, Vesa Luma, Jonida Maliqi, Adrian Gaxha, Alban Sk쯤eraj, and also some humor actors.