RTSH, time for quality

By Lutfi Dervishi/

RTSH is like a great national asset that has now been shunned. It has more employees than any other private television station in Albania, but it has less audience than a live stream on TikTok.

The announced idea to close it, no matter how controversial or unacceptable, did not come out of nowhere. Dinosaurs did not disappear because of climate change, but because they did not adapt to the times.

Instead of leading, RTSH follows and copies others. Instead of creating, it resorts to archiving and imitation. While technology advances at a breakneck pace, the Public Broadcaster often seems to operate on medium wave and an analog mentality.

The problem starts in the head.

This whole story has a big knot: the head of the institution. What is the role, weight and importance of the head was proven in the case of Thoma Gëllçi. It was the time when he laid and inaugurated the tracks of digitalization and gave signs of the return of RTSH to the public. (For everything he did, the "system" took him to prison, while Strasbourg called the measure against him scandalous).

The world of information today is dynamic, interconnected, visual, social and mobile. RTSH has a new digital network that has cost millions of euros (and for which it pays 7 million euros in credit and maintenance service every year) but it does not yet have a modern information system, an integrated editorial office or a new approach to news and issues that interest the public. Instead of focusing on leaders and institutions, it should be directed at people and problems. Instead of reports and reports from the field, there are more statements from the office and live appearances during inspections. Instead of journalism, there is protocol.

Three 'C's: Quality, Quality, Quality

RTSH doesn't have to start from scratch, from the ABC, but should stop at the letter C.

There is no need for more programs, but for better programs. People do not watch television, but the program. Quality is the oxygen that is missing.

Everyone does talks, everyone does political shows, everyone does comedy shows, everyone does galas, what RTSH can do is something that even if others do it, it should do better than others.

The question that doesn't get an easy answer is: tell me what program to watch?

RTSH is "condemned" to make shows with educational content, quality documentaries, reports that touch on reality, and entertainment that does not insult intelligence. These do not have to cost millions and millions, they simply require good ideas and dedicated people.

Audience?

With a small audience, RTSH no longer has the luxury of living on yesterday's glory and today's illusions. There is no longer a "secure audience" or "100% guaranteed funds." Either offer added value to the market, or remain a television museum.

RTSH has everything to rebuild: it has history, it has powerful broadcasters, it has a large staff (which has shown itself when it wanted to), it has an archive, it has an orchestra, it has Radio Tirana, it has legal obligations that give it exclusive rights that no one else has. But it seems to lack motivation, quality, and with them, vision.

Undoubtedly, if there was political will, the situation would be different today.

Making good programs takes time, funds, and people, but change and signals that work is being done for the public can be given more quickly.

It takes neither science nor time nor funds to make good news.

RTSH can be the haven of balanced and verified news, not the loudspeaker of governments, institutions and parties. Instead of empty words, it can be an independent voice. It is time for the news to have rhythm, image, depth and professional integrity. Without propaganda, without servility, with room for criticism, but also for solutions. Why not investigative journalism?

It's time for live fact checking. It's time for an entire generation to get their information from WhatsApp and Instagram.

The challenges of the digital age cannot be met with an analog mindset.

RTSH can be resurrected. But only if it courageously chooses the right leaders, embraces the digital age, invests in valuable content, and places the citizen-consumer at the center of the screen.

If there are any signs of change, the idea of ​​closing/limiting it will remain a campaign piece. Otherwise, the voices supporting the originator will increase.