EC: Media freedom is important

In an interview for Top Channel, Peter Stano declared that the European Commission is reviewing in details the Central Election Commission decision, and reminds that the media freedom is one of the basic principles of the European Union which should be guaranteed, not limited.

TCH: What is your position on the Central Election Commission that is obliging the media outlets to broadcast video materials edited by the parties in this electoral campaign.

Peter Stano: “We are aware of this decision of the Central Election Commission and about the reactions from the Journalists associations in Albania. Currently we are studying the details of this decision and we are focusing on how this is compatible with the provisions for guaranteeing the media freedom in the country and how far does it comply with the standard rules and principles in this area”.

TCH: Is this in line with the standards and the role of the media, and also with the role of the Central Election Commission, and the European Union expectancies as regards the functionality of democratic institutions, as one of the conditions for the candidate status?

Peter Stano: “We are understanding the sensitivity of the situation, especially right now in the election campaign. When it comes to the freedom of the media, what is important for us is to guarantee that every time and especially before the elections, the media can operate freely without any kind of interferences. But as I said, we are studying the decision of the Central Election Commission in detail in order to see how far it complies or not with the standard rules”.

TCH: Should the media pay the independence price through fines coming from an institution that is so-called independent?

Peter Stano: “From the point of view of the European Union, it is important that the media can operate freely. Freedom of the media is one of the values, one of the principles of the European Union, and it is also part of the accession process, which is reflected every year in their progress reports for every country in this process. In just a few days there will be a special conference designed and dedicated to the freedom of the media, freedom of the expression in the countries of the rest of the Balkans and Turkey. This issues will be discussed and touched ther as well. I think we are focusing a lot of our attention, we are trying to hammer this message home to our partners, how important it is to make sure that the media operates in a free environment, and that the freedom of the media, freedom of expression, is guaranteed and not limited.

Prepared by: Arta Tozaj

Biba: CEC repeated same mistake

Top Channel’s main news edition had a special guest today to discuss the decision of the Central Election Commission to oblige private televisions to broadcast the activities of political parties through pre-edited tapes that they bring themselves. The guest was Denar Biba, former vice chairman of the Central Election Commission, who discussed this issue with journalist Ilir Paco.

Ilir Paço: Mr.Biba, what’s your opinion about the decision taken by the Central Election Commission members? Is this decision according to the law?

Denar Biba: “This decision could have gone even further. A similar decision was taken by the Electoral College when it was led by Ristani, and the Electoral College has ruled against it. The Central Election Commission should have not repeat the same mistake. The decision is very poor from the legal point of view. The law predicts that there should be an instruction for the private media in the campaign, and this decision has not been taken by the Central Election Commission. It seems that the functionality with four members affects the decision making of this institution.”

Ilir Paço: Is this decision overruling the one taken by the Electoral College?

Denar Biba: “This decision is taken by completely going against a former court decision. The judiciary precedent in Albania doesn’t work and the administration institutions try to interpret laws on their own. But the Central Election Commission didn’t have to repeat a former mistake”.

Ilir Paço: Is there any unclear situation with the Electoral Code and the media reflection of the electoral campaign?

Denar Biba: “I think that the legislator should have been more careful, knowing the former practice that was criticized by the international community. It would be better for the Central Election Commission to read this law and write a better one in accordance with the Constitution. Article 22-23 of the Constitution foresees the media freedom. The Central Election Commission should read the law with Constitutional spirit.

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