Albanian Media Institute - Instituti Shqiptar i Medias

AMI NEWSLETTER - April 2013

FREEDOM HOUSE GLOBAL PRESS FREEDOM RANKING

This month Freedom House released its global ranking of freedom of the press all over the world. Albania was ranked 96th out of 197 countries, qualified as partly free. This marked an improvement compared to last year, when it was ranked as 107th. Out of Balkan countries, it shared the same position with Kosovo, succeeded only by Macedonia, which was ranked 120th. The report stated that mainly due to European financial crisis notable declines were seen in Southern Europe, including in Greece, which fell into the Partly Free category, and Spain. According to the report, the problems that have emerged in Southern Europe come on top of financial pressures that are plaguing press outlets in the Baltic states and elsewhere in Europe.

US DEPARTMENT OF STATE REPORT ADDRESSES MEDIA SITUATION

The US Department of State Report on Human Rights Practices for 2012 for Albania stated that freedom of speech and press are guaranteed by law and the government generally respected these rights in practice. The report stated that independent media were active and largely unrestrained, although there were cases of direct and indirect political and economic pressure on the media, including threats against journalists. At times political pressure and lack of funding constrained the independent print media, and journalists reported that they practiced self-censorship. The report stated that the government controlled the editorial line of the public Albanian Radio and Television, while private stations generally operated free of direct government influence, but most owners believed that the content of their broadcasts could influence government action toward their other businesses. Business owners also freely used media outlets to gain favor and promote their interests with both major parties and many media owners courted government leaders to gain favors or avoid taxes, according to the report. Broadcasters and publishers complained that the government used its purchases of advertising to leverage favorable reporting from media outlets. Private advertisers tended to do the same for fear of tax inspections. The report mentions several incidents of violence against members of the broadcast media during the year, and journalists were subjected to pressure from political and business actors. Many journalists complained that a lack of employment contracts frequently hindered their ability to report objectively and encouraged them to practice self-censorship, the report stated.

TRAINING COURSES ON REPORTING ELECTIONS

Two training courses on reporting on elections were organized at the Albanian Media Institute on April 9-10, and on April 25-26, in view of the coming general elections. This main aim of these training courses was to improve reporting skills of journalists that report on elections by covering all important aspects of the role of media in this process. Participants included political reporters from print and electronic mainstream media. On the first day, journalists were introduced to legal framework on elections, especially the Electoral Code and system. They were briefed on the novelties it presented as compared to the previous systems. They were also introduced to the evolution of electoral system and laws through the years, from establishment of Albanian state to date, highlighting the most noteworthy events of general and local elections, as well as referenda.
On the second day, specific attention was paid to professional dilemmas in media coverage of elections, such as preserving independence, declaring media affiliation with a political wing, taking sides, covering defaming speeches and statements, reporting having in mind the battle of interests from all sides, reporting having in mind the role of independent institutions, etc. In this aspect, special issues of focus included main sources of information, on-field reporters and collaborators, headquarters of competing subjects, official authorities, NGO representatives, international institutions, etc. In addition, journalists became familiar with and discussed the main legal provisions in media coverage of elections, discussing the main challenges and difficulties these obligations posed for their work in covering electoral campaign. Specific attention was paid to the publication of polls, surveys, and exit polls in the media. The participants also focused on cases of media coverage in the last elections, discussing politicization of the coverage vis-à-vis community or public interest. This course was organized by Albanian Media Institute, with the support of Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.

ROUNDTABLE ON STRATEGY TO DIGITAL SWITCHOVER

A roundtable on existing policies on digital switchover was organized on April 17, with the participation of journalists and editors from mainstream media, civil society, and media experts. The roundtable focused specifically on the Strategy to Digital Switchover that was approved in May 2012, the situation of digital broadcasting in the country, and the challenges and expectations in implementation of the strategy. Journalists became familiar with the main traits and problems in emergence of digital broadcasting platforms, parallel to the ongoing reform in legislation. They were briefed on the process of drafting of legislation, on the consultancy efforts to bring legislation and strategy in line with the situation and with EU standards, and the contribution and feedback of local stakeholders in the overall process. Journalists learnt about the deadlines on digital switchover, the criteria that have to be met, the building of public and private transmission networks, criteria for granting licenses, and the different kind of licenses. Participants discussed with speaker the impact the implementation of the strategy would have on the current media landscape and main players in the field, as well as on the public. Conditional access, subsidies of decoders, free to air programs were some of the additional topics tackled during the discussion. This roundtable was organized by the Albanian Media Institute, with the support of the Open Society Institute.

CONSULTATION ON KICK-OFF OF NEW REGIONAL PROJECT ON MEDIA

Representatives of media industry, media regulators, and academicians engaged in media studies, along with organizations working in media development gathered on April 30 in Tirana to discuss the new regional initiative “South East European Media Observatory: Building Capacities and Coalitions for Monitoring Media Integrity and Advancing Media Reforms”. The project was presented by Albanian Media Institute, which is the Albanian partner in this regional project involving five Balkan countries. The participants welcomed the idea of such an initiative, stressing that the attempt to have an all-encompassing project in terms of research is badly needed in the Albanian context. Almost all participants pointed out that the lack of data on media market, newspaper circulation, audience measurement, and advertising, has turned into a real problem for the further professionalization of Albanian media.

Some of the participants suggested that the trend of traditional media losing slowly their role as the main source of information to new media should also be reflected in the research project. They also stressed that as wider involvement of stakeholders as possible during the whole project was key to the success of the project. In addition, several participants also suggested new sources of work in progress that could be useful for the project research, expressing the desire to share the information during the research process. The speakers at the event also suggested ways of improving grant-giving scheme for investiative reporters and media NGOs, as well as on the advocacy field for media policies. Overall, the participants said this was a much-needed, but also ambitious project. The event was part of activities of an EU-supported project.

CAMERAMAN DETAINED FROM POLICE AFTER FOOTBALL MATCH

The cameraman of national commercial TV station Top Channel, Gent Ballta, claimed he was detained by the police on April 7 after a football match that led to confrontations between football club fans and police officers. He said he was filming the ongoing confrontations and was sent to the police station along with fans. While in detention in Tirana’s police station, he alleged that Erzen Brecani, the deputy director for public safety in the Albanian capital, assaulted him before he was later freed.

Police first denied the assault and in a statement a day later claimed the journalist had been detained briefly because he refused to identify himself. “There was no attack on him during the identification process, which lasted only eight minutes,” Arben Nasufi, aide to the general director of police, Hysni Burgaj, said. However, later Burgaj announced that the police had suspended Brecani and had opened disciplinary proceedings. On April 10 a group of journalists had planned a protest on this event in Tirana, joined by representatives of media community, civil society, and other persons. The Union of Journalists also supported this protest and the head of the union called on the authorities to investigate the assault, as well as on fellow journalists to show utmost responsibility and professionalism in the heated pre-electoral period.

ROUNDTABLE ON AUDIOVISUAL MEDIA REGULATION

A roundtable on current regulation of audiovisual media services was organized on April 3, with the participation of journalists and editors from mainstream media, civil society, and media experts. The roundtable focused specifically on recently-approved Law on Audiovisual Media, which aims to regulate all aspects of audiovisual media and services, filling the gap of the old law that focused only on electronic media. The participants became familiar with the main changes from the old regulation, such as regulation of non-linear services, re-definition of rules on advertising, sponsorship, tele-shopping, and product placement, and the regulator’s obligation to draft up codes for advertisement. Other issues discussed regarding the new law included the list of important events, regulation of on-demand services, European audiovisual works, the re-definition of the regulator and its competencies, the establishment of a public’s council near the public broadcaster, etc. Special attention was also paid to the kind of licenses available in the new law, the sanctions applicable, and the new rules on community radios. This roundtable was organized by the Albanian Media Institute, with the support of the Open Society Institute.

ROUNDTABLE ON INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM

“Challenges and the future of investigative journalism in Albania” was the topic of the roundtable discussed on 19 April in Tirana. More than 30 journalists, editors, and lecturers of journalism took part in this event. The discussion was moderated by Lutfi Dervishi, an experienced journalist. Claudia Vollmer, Head of Democratization Departament, OSCE Presence in Albania, welcomed the participants, encouraging them to contribute to the roundtable with ideas on how to promote investigative journalism in the country. Fatos Baxhaku, journalist and analyst, gave an overview of the current situation, underlining lack of investigative reporting cases in Albanian media. Aleksander Cipa, Head of Union of Albanian Journalists, focused on ethics issues during investigative reporting. He mentioned several recent cases in which Code of Ethics and/or Code of Criminal Procedure were not respected, resulting in infringement of basic journalism principles, ethics principles and human rights. Finally, Remzi Lani, director of Albania Media Institute (AMI) encouraged young journalists to continue their efforts in this field, stating that journalism remains a very important factor to the functioning of a democratic country. Participants discussed mainly on difficulties they encounter during investigative reporting and the role of editors/owners of media outlets in limiting/conditioning of investigative journalism. They contributed to the discussion by sharing their own experience and giving examples on how difficult it is to pursue investigative stories and report on them impartially and independently. The roundtable was organized by OSCE Presence in Albania.

WORKSHOP ON PUBLICATIONS ON MEDIA

A workshop on publications related to media was organized by Albanian Media Institute on April 23, in the framework of the book fair held by Department of Journalism at the University of Tirana. Participants included journalism professors and students. Speakers included AMI representatives and journalism professors and the main topic was the existing range of publications on journalism, the topics, and the student needs in this field. Presenting AMI’s latest publications in this area, most speakers stressed the need for up-to-date and relevant literature on the latest development in the profession of journalists, related specifically to new media and ethical aspects that emerge. In addition, journalism professor emphasized the importance of collaboration in the overall process of selecting books for publication, in accordance with the needs of the context and those of the students. This workshop was organized in the framework of a U.S. Embassy-supported project.

UNION OF JOURNALISTS PRESENTS REPORT ON LABOR INFORMALITY IN MEDIA

On April 30 the Union of Albanian Journalists presented the main findings of a survey on labor informality in the media section in Albania. Along with presentation of findings, the union highlighted the main problems with labor relations in the media, such as delay of salaries, financial crisis of Albanian media, and the way that this reflects on journalists’ conduct. The presented survey was a statistical and qualitative analysis of issues related to informality of labour relations and the observance of journalists’ rights in the media labour market. The report analyzes the situation of journalists in this respect by taking account of several indicators, such as duration and stability at work, contract and job security, cases brought to court, and changes in the media market. The report is based on responses to the same questionnaire by 334 journalists in different cities. The report on the informality of labour in the media was drafted by the Union of Journalists and OSCE Albania, with the support of Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

AMI NEWSLETTER - January 2013

SEMINAR ON MEDIA FREEDOM AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

A seminar on media freedom and freedom of expression in the framework of Albania's European Integration brought together over 180 Albanian media professionals, institutions concerned with media freedom, decision makers and international experts to analyse the current media situation in the country and gave their views on the issues of concern, challenges and on the way forward. The event which took place on January 16 in Tirana was organised jointly by the European Commission and the Albanian Ministry of Integration.

The panellists and participants addressed a number of issues, including those underlined in the latest European Commission Progress report; such as defamation, transparency and openness of the market, independence of the public broadcaster, employment conditions of journalists and media ethics.

The seminar took place in the context of the new approach to freedom of expression and media issues outlined in the European Commission Enlargement Strategy for 2011-2012 and as a follow-up to the 2012 Progress Report. The European Commission committed itself to increase attention to these issues in the EU accession process and to closely monitor developments in this area in the Enlargement countries, including Albania. Accordingly, the European Commission is willing to strengthen its cooperation with the Albanian authorities and to support efforts to reach European standards in this field.

"In the context of EU integration, Albania has all the potential to establish a positive track record in the freedom of media field by addressing these issues ", said Andris Kesteris, Principal Advisor for Civil Society and Media to the Director General for Enlargement in the European Commission.

The Minister for European Integration Majlinda Bregu underlined Albania's progress in strengthening media freedom, most recently through the decriminalisation of defamation and the moratorium on proceedings against journalists, and expressed the commitment of the Albanian government to take further action so as to achieve the highest European standards on media freedom.

PRESS FREEDOM IN ALBANIA DETERIORATES ACCORDING TO REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS

According to Reporters without Borders, which has recently published the Worldwide Press Freedom Index 2013, Albania’s ranking went down from 96th in 2012 to 102nd. While, Croatia, Serbia, and Kosovo, the other Balkan countries marked lower positions compared to previous years. Macedonia received the lowest ranking, dropping with 22 positions. While most of EU member countries are in a relatively stable position, occupying mainly the top 30 positions, there were also dramatic falls in ranking, such as Hungary and especially Greece.

MEDIA OUTLETS PREVENTED FROM LIVE BROADCASTING OF OPPOSITION EVENT

On January 21, 2013, the opposition organized a series of activities to mark the killing of four persons during the protest organized by the opposition two years ago. Part of the activities was the projection of a documentary on this event, to be projected at cinema Millennium, which is located in a street closed off to traffic. The moving studios of the TV stations that wanted to cover this event were not allowed to access the street and broadcast live the documentary on the victims of January 21 that was organized at the cinema. The media reported that the police stopped them from accessing the street, claiming that a broadcasting permit was supposed to be asked for and issued a day before.

The representatives of the Socialist Party said that the documentary would be available online for all Albanians to watch. Meanwhile, the Forum for Free Media issued a statement that condemned this act, considering it as a grave act against freedom of the press and the right of citizens to be informed in real time. The Forum called on OSCE and European Union to consider the violations on press freedom standards in Albania as a genuine concern.

PARLIAMENTARY MEDIA COMMISSION COMPLETED DISCUSSION OF AUDIOVISUAL MEDIA SERVICES BILL

On January 23 the Parliamentary Media Commission completed the discussion of all articles in the audiovisual media services bill, which will replace the existing Law on Public and Private Radio and Television.The commission has debated amending the law for several years, with periods of interruption due to political tensions and other factors. Several actors in the country have pushed for a speedy approval of the law, claiming that it is delaying the implementation of the Strategy for Digital Switchover. However, the last unresolved issues are the formulas for appointment of members of the National Council of Radio and Television and public Albanian Radio and Television and these might prove yet another delay and a point where consensus will be needed.

TRAINING COURSE ON MEDIA REGULATION

A training course on media regulation was organized at the Albanian Media Institute on January 17-18, with the participation of journalists from both print and electronic media. The aim of the course was to introduce journalists to the existing laws and regulation on labour relations as well as to the main principles of the law on access to information and how it can be used for journalists. The lecturers focused on the existing regulation, particularly the Code of Labour, the obligations of media outlets vis-à-vis the employees, the rights of the employees, and the different kinds of contracts that have to be signed. Particular attention was paid to the current situation of journalists and what they can do to improve their situation, in cooperation with responsible institutions.

In addition, the lecturers addressed in detail the regulation on access to information. They introduced the participants to the main principles on obtaining information and on the required procedure. They also briefed the participants on the plans for amending the law in order to improve the chances of receiving official information and of increasing use of the law by journalists. In addition, the journalists discussed their own concerns when trying to use this law as part of their job, focusing on problems such as lack of culture both in the media and in the public administration, incomplete information received, ways of delaying the information, etc. The course was organized by Albanian Media Institute, with the support of Open Society Foundation.

DOCUMENTARY MOVIE PROJECTION

“Untitled” was the latest documentary movie to be projected for an audience of journalists, students, and civil society representatives. This is a documentary movie from Bosnian director Boro Kontic, focusing on the figure of one of the most important writers in the Balkan region for the 20th century, Ivo Andric. A writer and Nobel prize winner (1961), he made his last visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1974. On June 11, he arrived to Sarajevo, the city where he spent his high school years. And from there, having first visited Mostar and Počitelj, he left on June 18. His hometown Travnik and Višegrad, the city of early childhood, welcomed Andrić for the last time in 1972. This presents an attempt to document all of these events and to open the following question:"What did Andrić mean to us, and what does he mean to us today?" The movie projection was organized by Albanian Media Institute, with the support of Frontline.

ASSOCIATION OF JOURNALISTS FOR JUSTICE ESTABLISHED

The Association of Journalists for Justice was established on January 29, along with its online portal, which will publish articles in investigative reporting. Mr. Alexander Arvizu, U.S. Ambassador to Albania, was also present in the public launch of the association and underlined the important role of the media in strengthening a democratic society. The association was created as a result of a long-term project, which aims to increase transparency, objectivity and efficiency in courts, as well as consolidate the supervisory role of media and civil society. The aim of the associations is for its journalist members to advocate their rights and be in charge of an open and independent media space where investigative journalism can be carried out. The online portal of the association is also open to publication of stories from other investigative journalists, as well as available for public to offer ideas and opinions on investigative stories. The association was launched after two years of training sessions on investigative journalism and media coverage of the courts, a project supported by USAID through its JuST program.

MEDIA TALK ON ALBANIAN JOURNALISM AND NEWS IN THE DIGITAL ERA

This media talk was organized on January 8, 2013, with the participation of editors, journalists, online journalists, and civil society activists. Guest speaker was Carlo Bollino, an Italian journalist who for the last 20 years has worked mainly in Albania, founding several media outlets. Being first hand witness on the main development trends of Albanian journalism since the early stages of transition, Bollino focused on the way that Albanian journalism has developed, the problems it has faced and on the challenges ahead. He analyzed the current status of Albanian press and professional journalism by describing its main history, addressing particular challenges and problems it has had to overcome. Bollino particularly described his own experience in establishing a new media outlet in the country and introducing a new way of doing journalism. He particularly dwelt on the ethical aspects of media coverage, especially regarding crime and court reporting. In terms of challenges ahead, when discussing with participants the future course of Albanian journalism, he stressed the need for young journalists to focus more on field reporting rather than political reporting or analysis, and the importance of economic and political independence for free and professional media. The activity was organized by the Albanian Media Institute, with the support of Frontline.

AMI NEWSLETTER - February 2013

PARLIAMENTARY MEDIA COMMISSION APPROVES THE NEW BILL OF AUDIOVISUAL SERVICES

After consultations between the delegated MPs from opposition and the ruling majority of the Parliamentary Media Commission on the formula to be used for electing the regulatory authority and the Steering Council of public broadcaster, the Commission convened on February 27 to finalize the bill on Audiovisual Services. While the MPs and the work group had agreed on a final version of the bill, they were unable to find a consensus on the way of electing the final member of both regulatory bodies. The opposition MPs insisted for the final member of each body to be elected preferably through consensus, at random, or through the votes of a qualified majority in the parliament.

On the other hand, the ruling majority, while appreciating the cooperation and understanding with opposition MPs during the long process of discussing the laws, said they did not agree with the version proposed by the opposition. Their argument was that choosing the last member at random did not give any stable guarantee. They insisted that the last member should be chosen by the parliament. They were also against the qualified majority, saying that there were sufficient guarantees and there was no reason to make an exception in this case, since other bodies are also elected through simple majority.

The commission also debated on the transitory dispositions of the law, or what would become of the current members of regulatory authorities and their terms. The bill stipulates that the members should be able to finish their existing term, even with the passing of the new law. The opposition was against this, saying that this was a trick to preserve the term of the current chairwoman of the National Council of Radio and Television, at a time when the opposition had not voted for the current chairwoman of NCRT. The ruling majority opposed this claim, stating that the chairwoman was elected through a formula that both sides had agreed on, and the opposition should have taken the responsibility of electing members to institutions together as agreed, rather than blocking them. Both sides voted their own versions, and the final version of the bill preserved the transitory dispositions thanks to the votes of the ruling majority. The bill is expected to pass soon in plenary session, concluding almost seven years of discussion.

TRAINING ON REPORTING DIVERSITY

During the week of February 4–8, sixteen reporters, eight from Albania and eight from Montenegro, attended a training program at the Albanian Media Institute on “The Role of Media in Strengthening Social Cohesion.” The five-day training, funded by the State Department’s Special Representative to Muslim Communities (SRMC), was organized by U.S. Embassy Tirana and the Embassy’s longtime partner, Albanian Media Institute (AMI). The two trainers, Milica Pesic and Anser Hassan, shared their long term experience working for and with the media to cover diversity in the U.S., Southeast Europe, and Western Europe. Representatives of the Roma, LGBT, and disabled communities visited the course as special guests, giving presentations and then agreeing to be interviewed by the reporters. The journalists appreciated the chance to establish contact, exchange views, and listen to concerns of these representatives in terms of how the media covers their communities. They also discussed ways to improve communication in the future, with a view to avoiding stereotypes and strengthening social cohesion in Albanian and Montenegrin society.

TRAINING COURSE ON MEDIA REGULATION

A training course on media regulation was organized at the Albanian Media Institute on February 13-14, with the participation of journalists from both print and electronic media. The aim of the course was to introduce journalists to the existing laws and the ongoing reform on media regulation, especially with regard to defamation and labor relations. While the lecturers introduced the journalists to the overall regulatory framework on media regulation, they particularly focused on labour relations and the situation of its implementation. The lecturers explained to participants the main legal provisions in this area, including the Constitution, the international treaties and conventions, the Code of Labour, and other relevant laws. The main issues addressed were related to the work contracts, salaries, vacation time, working conditions, etc. The participants also shared their concerns regarding work contracts and security in their jobs.

The lecturers also introduced the participants to the amendments to Penal and Civil Codes regarding defamation and libel, explaining the articles that were removed and the change in the remaining articles. They focused on such issues as removal of extra protection because of duty, change of defamation provisions in regard to symbols and leaders of Albania and other countries, damage of reputation, establishment of mechanism of proportionality, the criteria for assessing the damage, and the existing cases in the European Court of Human Rights in this regard and what this means to standards that need to be applied in our courts. The course was organized by Albanian Media Institute, with the support of Open Society Foundation.

ROUNDTABLE ON EUROPE AND OTHERNESS

A roundtable on the topic “Europe and otherness” brought together academics, journalists, and civil society activists. The debate focused on the relation to the Other within our continent – national or ethnic out-group in the East, like in former Yugoslavia since the last decades of the twentieth century; Roma people both in the East and the West; immigrants in the West (as objects of both ethnic and religious racism, reflected in economic xenophobia); and the new Others emerging in these times of crisis, through the divide North-South, and also through a new momentum of nationalism in different parts of Europe, like in the United Kingdom, in Spain, or in the Balkans. The speakers tried to analyze the factors that generate such phenomena, the self-legitimizing discourses in the different cases, and the way liberal and illiberal politics tend to deal with the related conflicts. Speakers included Judit Kiss, Hungarian economist and political thinker, Besnik Mustafaj, writer and diplomat, Piro Misha, Institute for Dialogue and Communication, Albert Rakipi, Institute for International Studies, Iain Chambers, professor of cultural sociology,University of Naples, Pep Subiros, Catalan writer and philosopher, and Bashkim Shehu, writer. The roundtable was organized by the Albanian Media Institute, with the support of Erste Foundation, Soros Foundation, and Open Democracy.

ROUNDTABLE ON NEW MEDIA POLICIES

A roundtable on new media and ensuing ethical issues was organized on February 1, with the participation of journalists and editors from mainstream media and online media, bloggers, and media experts. The roundtable focused on current regulation and policies on online media, the existing trends in freedom of expresssion in online platforms, and the main ethical issues that result from these practices. Participants discussed on the current stage of development of new and social media in Albania as compared to traditional media. They also focused on the main ethical issues that have emerged as result of speedy progress of social media and the potential regulation steps that can be made in this regard. Representatives of blogs, online newspapers, and news aggregators focused especially on the reaction they receive from the public, the funding problem, the importance of preserving independence, and the problem of intellectual property. The roundtable was organized from Albanian Media Institute, with the support of Open Society Institute.

AMI NEWSLETTER - March 2013

PARLIAMENT APPROVES THE LAW ON AUDIOVISUAL SERVICES WITH THE VOTES OF THE RULING MAJORITY

The Parliament convened in a plenary session on March 4 to vote amongst others on the Law on Audiovisual Services. The law passed with 73 votes for and 61 against. The final version of the law brought before the parliament was a product of agreement between both sides, apart from the formula on election of regulatory authority and the Steering Council of public broadcaster. In spite of a series of consultations between MPs of both sides, the Parliamentary Media Commission failed to agree on a common formula. On February 27 the Commission finalized the bill, preserving the formula of election for regulatory bodies as proposed by the ruling majority.
In the parliament discussions, the socialist MPs refused to vote the law in its final form. Socialist MP and chair of the Parliamentary Media Commission Valentina Leskaj urged her colleagues to review the law again, with the aim of stipulating consensual provisions on the election of the members of the Authority of Audio-Visual Media and public broadcaster's Steering Council. Leskaj referred to a letter that OSCE High Representative on the Freedom of Media, Dunja Mijatovic, sent to Prime Minister Sali Berisha on March 1, stating that the draft law falls short of stipulating politically inclusive governing bodies for the national broadcast regulator and the public broadcaster. Leskaj said the opposition was in line with Mijatovic's stand, and stressed that the SP MPs will not join their votes for a law that instead of guaranteeing the media independence helps the government put pressure on the independent media.
Democratic Party MP Mark Marku responded that the ruling majority could not accept the opposition's proposal for the appointment by lot or by a qualified majority of the seventh member of the Authority of Audio-Visual Media or of the eleventh members of the Steering Council of RTSH. While the bill was being reviewed in the committee, he argued that other institutions, such as President, are also elected by a simple majority after the first three rounds. In his speech he also said that attempts to use a formula that required consensus had not been fruitful so far.

HUMAN RIGHTS WEEK TRAINING FOR JOURNALISTS

The training of Human Rights Week for journalists was organized at the Albanian Media Institute on March 25-29, with the participation of mainly social reporters from mainstream media. The main aim of the training was to provide journalists with the basic standards, laws, regulations, and conventions that protect human rights and guide their reporting on issues related to human rights. For this purpose, the course addressed such issues as international legislation and conventions on human rights, Albanian legislation on human rights, the specific fundamental rights set out in documents such as Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention of Human Rights, as well as the way that these are interpreted and guaranteed in Albanian legislation.

Apart from fundamental human rights, the journalists were also trained on more specific issues, such as gender equality and the law against domestic violence, the rights of minorities and media coverage of minorities, and the fundamental right to faith and the way media reports on faith and religion. Specific attention was paid to media freedom and freedom of expression as one of the cornerstones of a democracy, on the situation in Albania, the factors that affect its current status, and the media coverage of this topic. The course was organized by Albanian Media Institute, with the support of Civil Rights Defenders.

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ON RIGHT TO INFORMATION LAW DISCUSSED WITH PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

On March 28 the Ministry of Justice, in cooperation with Soros Foundation, organized a meeting that aimed to introduce the amendments that will be proposed to the existing law on access to information. Participants were representatives from the ministries, other state institutions, and some international actors. The draft amendments were a co-product of civil society experts and Ministry of Justice, after previous discussions with civil society activists on this topic. The main aim of the meeting was to introduce the draft amendments to public administration and receive their feedback and suggestions, since they will be in charge of implementing the law.

The proposed amendments presented considerable changes from the existing law. First of all, the new amendments expanded the list of public institutions that are obliged to observe the law and provide information to citizens, aiming to have a clearer and more exhaustive list of institutions. Secondly, the amendments expanded the notion of providing information in accordance with the constitutional guarantee: while the current law speaks of right to official documents, the amendments refer to right to information. The new amendments also significantly shorten the timeline for providing information and oblige institutions to adopt a pro-active approach in making information accessible to the public. The proposed amendments now shift the responsibility of overseeing implementation of the law from the People’s Advocate to the existing Commissioner for Personal Data Protection, aiming to have one common commissioner in charge of both aspects. The representatives from various ministries also provided their feedback on these amendments. The ministries will have more time to provide their feedback on the draft before the law is sent to the parliament.

TRAINING COURSE ON REPORTING ELECTIONS

A training course on reporting on elections was organized at the Albanian Media Institute on March 6-7, in view of the coming general elections of June 23. This main aim of this training was to improve reporting skills of journalists that report on elections by covering all important aspects of the role of media in this process. Participants included political reporters from print and electronic mainstream media. On the first day, journalists were introduced to legal framework on elections, especially the Electoral Code and system. They were briefed on the novelties it presented as compared to the previous systems. They were also introduced to the evolution of electoral system and laws through the years, from establishment of Albanian state to date, highlighting the most noteworthy events of general and local elections, as well as referenda.
On the second day, specific attention was paid to professional dilemmas in media coverage of elections, such as preserving independence, declaring media affiliation with a political wing, taking sides, covering defaming speeches and statements, reporting having in mind the battle of interests from all sides, reporting having in mind the role of independent institutions, etc. In this aspect, special issues of focus included main sources of information, on-field reporters and collaborators, headquarters of competing subjects, official authorities, NGO representatives, international institutions, etc. In addition, journalists became familiar with and discussed the main legal provisions in media coverage of elections, discussing the main challenges and difficulties these obligations posed for their work in covering electoral campaign. Specific attention was paid to the publication of polls, surveys, and exit polls in the media. The participants also focused on cases of media coverage in the last elections, discussing politicization of the coverage vis-a-vis community or public interest. This course was organized by Albanian Media Institute, with the support of Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.

ROUNDTABLE ON POLICIES ON ACCESS TO INFORMATION

A roundtable on policies on access to information was organized on March 17, with the participation of journalists and editors from mainstream media, civil society, and media experts. The roundtable focused on current regulation and policies on access to information, the existing trends in providing official documents for public and media scrutiny through the years, and the main implications for media reporting on government and public institutions. The participants became familiar with the main monitoring efforts of implementation of law on access to information and the main results that have ensued. Journalists also shared their own problems and experience with filing requests for access to information, further contributing to the overall discussion on this topic. In addition, participants also became familiar with the ongoing endeavour to amend the regulation on access to information, which have taken place for several years now. This roundtable was organized by the Albanian Media Institute, with the support of the Open Society Institute.

TOP CHANNEL TV CLAIMS THAT ITS EVICTION IS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED

On March 18 the police gathered in front of the premises where some of the national Top Channel TV’s programs are produced. Their aim was to execute a court order for the vacation of the premises, since the area is supposed to be returned to the land owners. The representatives of Top Channel TV claimed that this was a politically-motivated attack, timed to hurt an independent TV station, critical to the government, before general elections.

The TV station makes use of these premises since 2005, when it signed a contract with then-Socialist party-run government to keep the premises until 2025. In 2009, the TV station received a notice from the then-Minister of Economy that immediately terminated the rental contract with Top Channel TV. Top Channel TV took the matter to court, claiming that this was breach of the contract, since the renting period was until 2025. The court ruled that the land should be given back to the former owners. Top Channel TV claims that it has made serious investments in this building, considering that it would be long-term contract. In addition, the channel stated that they have respected every term in the contract, unlike the state. Hence, they conclude that the latest effort to evict the premises is a politically-motivated attack, especially in view of the coming elections. The Union of Journalists also supported Top Channel claims that this move was political, as did in a statement socialist MP Valentina Leskaj, head of the Parliamentary Media Commission. Asked about this issue by the television, Commissioner Stefan Fule said that the EU is following the matter, hoping that rule of law that respects both right to media freedom and right to property will prevail.

PUBLICATION ON SOCIAL THEORY AND DIGITAL MEDIA PRACTICE

The Albanian publication of “Media, Society, World: Social Theory and Digital Media Practice” by Nick Couldry is the latest book published by Albanian Media Institute. The book starts from the assumption that media are fundamental to our sense of living in a social world. Since the beginning of modernity, media have transformed the scale on which we act as social beings. And now in the era of digital media, media themselves are being transformed as platforms, content, and producers multiply. Drawing on Couldry's fifteen years of work on media and social theory, this book explores how questions of power and ritual, capital and social order, and the conduct of political struggle, professional competition, and everyday life, are all transformed by today's complex combinations of traditional and 'new' media. In the concluding chapters Couldry develops a framework for global comparative research into media and for thinking collectively about the ethics and justice of our lives with media. The result is a book that is both a major intervention in the field and required reading for all students of media and sociology. The book is published with the support of the US Embassy in Tirana.

PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION ON MEDIA DIVIDED ON WORK OF RTSH AND KKRT

This month the Parliamentary Commission on Media examined the annual reports of the public broadcaster RTSH and regulatory authority on electronic media KKRT. Similarly to previous years, the members of the ruling majority and those of the opposition did not share the same opinion on the conduct of these institutions. The ruling majority praised RTSH’s efforts towards switchover to digital broadcasting and coverage of particular events, such as celebration of 100th year of independence. Meanwhile, the opposition MPs complained that RTSH has turned into an instrument of the government. Other complaints included failure of total coverage of the territory with signal, lack of quality of programs and lack of political independence. Similarly, the opposition members of the commission criticized KKRT’s failure to improve the situation with pirated programs, inefficient collection of taxes, and selective decisions of imposing fines. KKRT replied by pointing out to legal voids, lack of cooperation with tax police, and lack of capacities to monitor all electronic media, denieing any political affiliation in its work.