"This report, which follows the Council of Europe’s list of “Indicators for Media in a Democracy”, intends to provide an analysis of the current media situation based on the standards upheld by this list. The aim of this report is to raise awareness on the status of affairs in the media scene for an array of actors, such as policymakers, government representatives, media professionals, professional associations, media experts, and civil society. The report is based on methodology that uses varied instruments and feedback from different relevant actors that affect legal, political, economic, and professional environment for media operation. Apart from collecting and classifying statistical data from publicly available sources, existing research, and surveys, the primary research consisted also in legal analysis conducted for the purpose of comparing Council of Europe standards to domestic legislation, carrying out of surveys with stakeholders, and in-depth interviews with key players in the media fi eld, judges, government representatives, parliament, and public institutions. Using a specially designed questionnaire, a survey was conducted on a sample of 110 editors-in-chief, media owners, and journalists of different media outlets across the country, including representatives from minorities. In-depth interviews were conducted with media owners, media managers, and editors of mainstream media outlets, as well as with other actors with direct input and knowledge on media scene, such as the Audiovisual Media Authority, public broadcaster RTSH, journalist trade union, professional associations, the Media Council, journalists from various media, etc." (Introduction, p.7-8)
Contents
Albanian media in facts and figures, 9
Protection of the Right to Freedom of Expression and Information, 11
Freedom to Criticise State Officials, 16
Necessity and Proportionality of Restrictions to Freedom of Expression, 19
Freedom to Practice Journalism, 21
Openness of Media to Political Parties, 23
Non-discrimination of Foreign Journalists, 26
Freedom to Choose Language of Communication, 28
Protection of Confidentiality of Information Sources, 30
Limitation of Exclusive Reporting Rights, 31
Proportionality of Privacy Protection and State Secret, 32
Protection of Journalist Labour and Social Rights, 34
Journalist Freedom of Trade Union Organising, 36
Protection of Editorial Policy Independence, 38
Protection of Journalist Safety, 41
Impartiality and Efficiency of Regulatory Authorities, 43
Equal Access to Distribution Channels, 46
Freedom of Access to the Internet and Foreign Media, 48
Prevention of Monopolies and Development of Pluralism, 50
Neutrality of State Subsidies, 54
Independence of Public Service Broadcasters, 57
Protection of Public Service Broadcasters’ Editorial Autonomy, 62
Undesirability of Hidden State Ownership in Media, 64
Incompatibility between Public Office-Holding and Pursuit of Professional Media Activities, 65
Openness of Authorities to All Media, 67
Preference for Media Self-Regulation, 69
Compliance with Journalist Code of Conduct, 71
Parliament’s Care for Media Freedom Development, 73
Assessment on Media Situation in Albania, 74
Recommendations, 78