Call of Albanian JournalistsNga We, the Albanian journalists, undersigned; are concerned, from the increasing negative climate for freedom of the press in our country. We are alarmed, by the public calls of the representatives of the ruling major

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Call of Albanian JournalistsNga

We, the Albanian journalists, undersigned;

are concerned, from the increasing negative climate for freedom of the press in our country.

We are alarmed, by the public calls of the representatives of the ruling majority party in favor of the violence against the media.

We are shocked, by the calls of the owners of the pro-government media in favor of violence against other journalists, and outraged by the indifference of the police, which has failed to arrest the perpetrators of the crime against the journalist Mero Baze.

We are ignored by the Albanian government in our efforts to move towards the truth, which is in general public’s interest.

We are joining this public appeal, aimed at launching a joint action to set new standards for freedom for the press in Albania.

Given the fact that Albania is now a member of NATO and has applied to join the European Union, we the Albanian journalists express our commitment to increase the pressure on the government, the parliament, and the public opinion about the low standards of freedom of the press in our country. Albania has made backward bold steps in the world classification of the press freedom during the past year, as new events are making the future of the freedom of press more pessimistic.

Albanian Journalists are faced daily with a political-media regime, which increases its effort to keep under control by all means the free speech and the critical of investigative journalism. Albanian journalists are recently faced with physical violence and pressure for change of their editorial policy, through warnings and forced resignations of known journalists. The government orientation is selective on the market advertising for the public television operators and printing media. The ruling majority has clearly encouraged the hate speech and physical violence against critical towards them journalists.

In most cases these campaigns are led by Prime Minister Berisha himself, who has assaulted and insulted renowned journalists of the Albanian media because of their editorial positions. Such attitudes have been seen as an encouragement of violence towards the journalists, which the government has made efforts to justify it by blaming the media.

The pressure towards the media businesses that are critical towards the government has been alarming. The government has been breaking its long-term investment contracts; they have violently displaced the sites of the editorial and television studios that are critical to the government, as well as the demolition of antennas of television channels that are not considered under government control.

We are immediately seeking to begin the process of drafting a European law for the press, in accordance with European Union standards, where the status of the journalist is guaranteed, which it guarantees him the right of information and unconditional access to official information.

In the condition of a society like ours with strong connections of the politicians with the high level of crime and corruption, we encourage a law that in a case where investigative journalists face the people affected of the investigation, the burden of proof of the certain investigation shall be passed on the real legal mechanisms of investigation on those problems raised by the media. This will put an end to the installation of a system of self-judgment that is being encouraged by the government which appears to be avoiding the legal framework for the Media, and the closure of any access to official information to them.

We, Albanian journalists, are committed to building as soon as possible a self-regulatory system for the media institutions, encouraging the creation of an umbrella organization to represent Albanian journalists in their public debate on freedom of the media and establish the standards worthy of a country aspiring to join the European Union. This system will not only self-confine only in union organizations, but above all, in an organization that defends press freedom principles of ethics and standards of a Western press.

We, the Albanian journalists, are committed to continue our fight for quality in the Albanian press and the freedom of speech, which is put at risk by these significantly backward steps that is going through in this country.

We, the Albanian journalists, are seeking support of the international organizations such as the European Union, OSCE, the US State Department, as well as prestigious international institutions for freedom of media, like the International Federation of Journalists, Committee for Protection of Journalists, Reporter without Borders Organization to support and assist our efforts to protect the freedom in Albania so it can reach Western standards.

We the Albanian journalists, call on the Albanian government to reflect its negative course against the freedom of the press and the media, and stop imitating the poor standards of former Soviet republics for a country which is seeking to join the European Union.

We will remain committed until the end in our fight.

1. Andi Bushati

2. Arban Hasani

3. Rudina Xhunga

4. Andrea Stefani

5. Armand Shkullaku

6. Sokol Balla

7. Preç Zogaj

8. Besnik Mustafaj

9. Andi Tela

10. Skënder Minxhozi

11. Pirro Misha

12. Ylli Rakipi

13. Anila Basha

14. Lorenc Vangjeli

15. Alfred Peza

16. Mustafa Nano

17. Arian Çani

18. Mimoza Dervishi

19. Mentor Kikia

20. Bledar Zaganjori

21. Lutfi Dervishi

22. Monika Stafa

23. Ilir Paço

24. Valbona Kurti

25. Rezeart Xhaxhiu

26. Pandi Gjata

27. Roland Qafoku

28. Patrik Sadikaj

29. Dardan Malaj

30. Altin Kreka

31. Mimoza Picari

32. Marin Mema

33. Klodiana Kapo

34. Klodian Tomori

35. Alma Demiraj

36. Sali Juniku

37. Elert Yzeiri

38. Sonila Agostini

39. Gazmend Janku

40. Donald Jorgoni

41. Gjergj Erebara

42. Kamber Velaj

43. Mira Kazhani

44. Anila Rama

45. Blerina Moka

46. Genti Dervishi

47. Roland Zili

48. Tedi Blushi

49. Kujtim Boriçi

50. Darina Tanushi

51. Ilda Lumani

52. Altin Latifi

53. Genc Kondi

54. Gerti Xhaja

55. Elira Canga

56. Admirina Peçi

57. Fatmira Nikolli

58. Trëndafile Visha

59. Olsi Kolami

60. Gent Dervishi

61. Karolina Risto

62. Ardi Bita

63. Rildo Ngjela

64. Jonida Shehu

65. Ened Janina

66. Adrian Thano

67. Eglantina Bardhi

68. Fejzi Braushi

69. Fatjon Çuka

70. Flamur Vezaj

71. Dashamir Biçaku

72. Nevila Perndoj

73. Elona Demollari

74. Emirjon Senja

75. Yllka Lezo

76. Bardhi Quku

77. Arben Rrozhani

78. Arlinda Gjypi

79. Armando Meta

80. Albert Gjoka

81. Laureta Rryçi

82. Ervin Koçi

83. Eljona Ballhysa

84. Shaban Sulçe

85. Dash Frasheri

86. Emanuela Sako

87. Jonida Tashi

88. Blerina Olldashi

89. Izaura Ndoj

90. Arion Sulo

91. Aleksandra Bogdani

92. Florion Serjani

93. Julian Llupo

94. Lindita Çela

95. Erjona Rusi

96. Eni Muçi

97. Marsel Lela

98. Petrika Grosi

99. Leonard Bakillari

100. Sonila Merolli

101. Enton Palushi

102. Fitim Zekthi

103. Dhurata Hamzai

104. Nada Gurashi

105. Bledar Lumani

106. Çelo Hoxha

107. Olta Blaceri

108. Alma Çupi

109. Blerta Gjermeni

110. Edlira Prendi

111. Valmira Dalipi

112. Aulona Kadillari

113. Erblina Prifti

114. Saimir Sula

115. Leftion Peristeri

116. Rajmonda Lajthia

117. Merita Haklaj

118. Sadiela Olloni

119. Erida Gjermeni

120. Ornela Joti

121. Keti Banushi

122. Stanela Kostollari

123. Dafina Hysa

124. Andi Nuraj

125. Klodiana Bufi

126. Edvin Peçi

127. Elvin Luku

128. Gent Hazizi

129. Nolian Lole

130. Rovena Moçka

131. Dritan Dango

132. Dalina Çarçani

133. Lorenc Shehu

134. Harbi Aliaj

135. Brikena Kuka