OSCE: Government finances its own media

“Albania has a long road ahead, before we can say that it is free and healthy. Many journalists are not paid, they have no working contracts, are politicized and this is unacceptable. Many of them have special interests, but they unite for their dignity, but this is not the case in Albania. Here they fight each other, same as in Sarajevo. You must unite and fight together, or you cannot be called journalists”, Miatovic declared.

The OSCE representative was asked if the partial distribution of state owned advertisements affects the media freedom.

“It is clear that these revenues in Albania are not given with transparency, and they are not distributed to all media, but only to the one the government prefers. This is one of the cases that I will discuss with the authorities. It affects the media freedom, because it is actual, but the best thing is that it is a visible factor and everyone is aware of it, discusses about it, and it is not hidden. The selection should be made by organizing and distributing with transparency and honesty these funds in all media, not only to some that favor the government. These are only some of the problems that have affected the media, and this situation must change”, Miatovic declared.

Miatovic was also asked about the scandal of the former Culture Minsiter, Ylli Pango, who was reported on Top Channel’s “Fiks Fare” for asking sexual favors in exchange of a job, for which Top Channel was fined by the court with 400.000 EUR, although the Minister was fired. This event has been seen as a priority by the OSCE, while it is being asked that for the journalists there should be no higher fines than 20.000 EUR.

“My office has mentioned this problem with the authorities, since when it began. We have discussed with the Minister of Justice, the Foreign Minister and many other important actors, for being closer to this case, because it is absolutely unacceptable. The fine is unacceptable for every country. If the case is of public interest, and if this case has been opened by a high public official, then we should mention the declaration of the Prime Minister, which specifies that no official should open a case over the media, and I believe in the independence of the Courts in Albania. I hope that this case will be closed here professionally, and similar events will never be repeated. These events create a negative effect not only to Top Channel, but to the entire media. They create a negative message for the country, if the authorities keep such a stance against the media. Naturally, if they make mistakes, they must pay for this. But they think that 400.000 is a shocking and extreme fine”, Mijatovic declared.

Top Channel