The Association of Journalists condemns Rrumbullak's statements to the media: Journalists are not spokespersons for the police

The Association of Journalists of Albania has expressed concern about the statement of the Director General of the State Police, Muhamet Rrumbullaku, made to the media regarding the murder of Eglantin Proga.

In a reaction AGSH writes that Rrumbullaku stated that only the news of the press office is true, condemning the accusation that "every news that is thrown to the public opinion damages the investigations".

AGSH emphasizes that it took 4 days for the General Director of Police to appear at the conference and speak about the event, while journalists reported from the first moment.

REACTION:

The Association of Journalists of Albania is deeply concerned about the statement of the General Director of the State Police Mr. Muhamet Rrumbullaku.

The Director of the State Police misdirected the media by calling on them that only the news of the press office is true.

Mr. Rrumbullaku said: "If you want to get the required information, call the media office of the State Police to be accurate in everything you send to the public."

We want to bring to Mr. Rrumbullaku's attention that journalists are not spokespersons for the Police or any other institution, they have a number of sources beyond official statements.

Journalists use official and unofficial sources for their work, so calling him is completely unnecessary.

AGSH also condemns the accusation made by Mr. Rrumbullaku to the media as he declared: Any news that is thrown by you to public opinion damages the investigations.

We want to bring to the attention of the Director of the State Police that journalists and the media have no duty to protect the integrity of any institution, whether it is law enforcement.

AGSH welcomes the work of the journalists who reported from the first moment the serious event in Pogradec, despite the fact that the Director of Police took 4 days to come out with a statement accusing the journalists and the media.

We certainly call on fellow journalists to treat the claims of the parties with care, but at no time to retreat from the truth, whatever it may be.

On this occasion, AGSH expresses its deepest condolences to the family of the victim in Pogradec.