Pyramid, EC: Caution with Top Channel

Not for the fact that the Pyramid is going to be demolished, and neither for the construction of the new Parliament, but for the damage that will be caused to the Top-Channel, which has its headquarters in a part of this building.

The approval of this law also violates the current agreement between the Ministry of Economy and this Television.

Made aware of such a fact, the European Commission gave a statement about the decisions that have been taken recently by the Albanian ruling party:

“Media freedom is the foundation of a good governing and accountability in a democratic society, and it is an essential element of the Copenhagen political criteria that every country with EU aspirations must fulfill”, declared EC officials in a press release. The case with Top-Channel is more or less complex. There is a combination of the aspects of media freedom, the aspects of property rights and political interests. We expect that the problems regarding Top-Channel’s current headquarters will be solved with full transparency and impartiality, guaranteeing the full implementation of the current laws. The respect for the rule of law is also an essential element of the political criteria. We are closely monitoring the developments and the media freedom in general, during our regular dialogue with the Albanian authorities”, says the statement of the european commissioner of Enlargment.

The Commission underlines the need for all political forces to create a positive climate and the appropriate conditions for improving independent and pluralist media.

“The Commission expects the Albanian authorities to promote in an active and visible way, and to guarantee full media freedom, in order to eliminate any possible perception for double standards in their relation with the media”, says the statement further.

The media freedom, especially with the case of Top-Channel, has been mentioned even in the Opinion that the European Commission gave last autumn, expressing their concern on the selective fines given by the Albanian judicial system against media when there were politicians involved.

Prepared by: Arta Tozaj

Top Channel