“Government, violence against Top Channel”

“European commercial broadcasters have reacted with alarm to reports from Albania that the market-leading independent TV station Top Channel is once again coming under political pressure as that country faces crucial elections”, the declaration says.

“This latest development is a move to evict Top Channel and its studios from their current premises. This follows many years of court cases instigated by the government and financial pressure, including allegations that taxpayers’ money in the form of state advertising budgets was diverted to rival, more pro-government outlets”, ACT reminds.

The ACT General Director, Ross Biggam, from Brussels, appeals the EU and international institutions to report the actions taken by the Albanian authorities.

“These worrying reports from Tirana show once again that media freedom can never be taken for granted. Some governments are becoming increasingly sophisticated in the tactics used to restrict the work of independent media, and are using indirect methods such as, in this case, planning law to harass and pressurise journalists.
Albanian viewers clearly value the independence of journalism practiced by Top Channel, as its bulletins are regularly the most-watched in the country. For viewers to be deprived of their favourite independent news outlet in the run-up to an election is incompatible with democratic values”, Biggam declared.

After quoting a European Commission recommendation for protecting the media freedom, Biggam asked the EU and international community to act, so that the Albanian independent journalism will be encouraged rather than being withheld by pressures in this critical point of the EU integration path.

Prepared by: ARTA TOZAJ

Top Channel