Freedom of the Press 2008 - Albania

Status: Partly Free
Legal Environment: 16 (of 30)
Political Environment: 16 (of 40)
Economic Environment: 18 (of 30)
Total Score: 50 (of 100)
(Lower scores = freer)

The constitution guarantees freedom of the press, and it is generally respected by the authorities. Press freedom advocates in 2007 continued to urge the government to decriminalize defamation, which could incur a maximum sentence of two years in prison under existing statutes. Although the parliament failed to act on draft amendments introduced in 2005, Prime Minister Sali Berisha in October of that year ordered government officials to use the right of reply rather than defamation suits to address perceived bias or inaccuracy in the media. No major libel cases were reported in 2007. Freedom of information is also guaranteed in the constitution, but officials often resist media requests. Journalists in turn fail to pursue such queries and are generally unaware of their legal rights. The country's parliament-appointed broadcast regulator, the National Council for Radio and Television, continued to face accusations of political bias in favor of the government, and its staff levels and funding remained inadequate. However, appointees nominated by the parliamentary opposition were added to the council as provided for in a 2006 agreement.

The media continued to reflect a diversity of viewpoints in 2007, but key outlets tended to support one political faction or another. Journalists practiced self-censorship to support the political or economic interests of their employers. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) reported that broadcast media curbed their usual bias to provide balanced coverage ahead of local elections in February, although smaller parties did not receive their fair share of airtime, and reporting focused on personalities rather than policy issues. Rules on allocation of advertisement sales and media silence immediately before voting were not respected. The Berisha government put selective pressure on opposition-oriented media throughout the year, accusing unidentified outlets of receiving funding from organized crime groups. The parliament passed a digital broadcasting law in May that was seen as damaging the interests of Top Media, a firm whose popular stations were consistently critical of Berisha. In July, authorities sought to impose a 12 million euro ($16.6 million) fine on Top Media for unpaid taxes, prompting objections and demonstrations by civil rights and press freedom groups.

In addition to public television and radio broadcasters, Albania has dozens of private television stations, radio stations, and print publications. A lack of transparency on ownership and funding leaves the media open to unsubstantiated accusations of criminal influence or ulterior motives. Public broadcasters are typically biased in favor of the authorities and suffer personnel changes under each new government. Print outlets often have explicit ties to political parties or other interest groups, and virtually none are able to survive on advertising and subscription revenue alone. Larger private television stations are more profitable, but they are subject to pressure from major advertisers. The radio market is dominated by music and entertainment, with only four of about 40 stations producing original news content. Most journalists in Albania work without contracts, adding to job insecurity and encouraging self-censorship. All media have difficulty reaching rural areas due to poor infrastructure and economic considerations. This particularly affects the internet, which is accessed by roughly 13 percent of the population on a regular basis.