"Lawsuits against journalists have increased", Zhupa: They want to scare them not to denounce corruption

The Chairman of the Media Commission, Ina Zhupa, during a conference with journalists from the Presidency of the Assembly, raised concerns about the intimidation of the media and journalists by the government.

During her speech, Zhupa said that the government's intimidation of journalists is being done through lawsuits against them, in order to intimidate them into not reporting corruption cases.

According to Zhupa, there are deliberate attempts by state institutions not to respond to requests for information sent by journalists and the media, due to the concealment of corruption and the involvement of high officials in various affairs.

The chairwoman of the Media Commission and at the same time DP legislator, also focused on the role of AMA, RTSH and government advertisements, findings for which the Progress-Report of the EU has reservations.

Full statement:

Journalists are intimidated because they ask questions that the government and officials don't like. Working conditions must be improved and protected, the Labor Code must be respected.

Journalists are taken to court to drag out and silence whistleblowers. The number of lawsuits has gone up to 73, the number of lawsuits has increased, just because they talk.

The Majority and the Assembly have not done anything regarding the regulation of the Penal Code for threats and violence against journalists during the exercise of their duties. I have made a legal proposal that the EU has said, to change the Criminal Code. It is this majority and Rama's will not to approve this standard that the EU is looking for.

The next step from the progress of the report, from the moment that the political exclusion as head of the media begins, this commission will start a hearing with all media actors, discuss a working document for legal changes that bring the media environment closer to the standards of the EU.

Another problem is corruption in the administration and access to information. When journalists ask for information, they are blocked by the government not only in time, but they don't give it at all. This is hiding corruption and not being transparent.

The enforcement of existing law is weak and an institutional culture to hide corruption, delaying the response. The time should be shorter, as there is also a high obligation for public interest.

The role of AMA, RTSH, and government advertising on media influence. Journalists will have to follow the electoral campaigns themselves and not deal with ready-made tapes.

RTSH, I have sent a letter asking them to open the competition for the director, because they are with a commanding director and make it impossible to proceed normally.

The government uses advertising as a cull to give to the media that aligns directly with government propaganda. Be open competition, have access to earn money pubkle all media. The media is used as a facade of power, an indicator of a dictatorial state.