FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Today we are less free and have one less window to express our opinion. News24 and other media outlets affiliated with it in the media group cannot practice their profession and are unable to provide the news to the public.
A protest in support of News24 and the media outlets included in the “Focus group” media group took place outside the building where, as of Saturday morning, around 230 employees were working. Today, on the third day when the premises are under the control of the police and the army, while the television signal is missing, the Journalists Association of Albania called a protest against the arbitrary actions of the government, while support was given to the journalists of the media group.
"We are not criminals that you bring us the police and the army," was written on most of the banners held by journalists, a message that was conveyed to the orderlies, those who, on the morning of Saturday, August 9, chose to send dozens of police officers to 'occupy' the building where News24, BalkanWeb, Panorama, Panorama Sport and Panorama TV operated.
"Don't turn off the truth", "Today News24, tomorrow who?", "Media freedom is not a negotiation" were other messages conveyed by the journalists, who ultimately chose to stick them to the closed door of the building, while behind it stood police uniforms.
In support of the protest were Ina Zhupa and Erisa Xhixho, as well as other opposition politicians, who have supported the journalists' reaction to arbitrary actions since Saturday.
In her capacity as the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Media Committee, Ina Zhupa, said that today is a day when we feel less free, less democratic. Zhupa described News24 as a window of freedom.
"Today we are less free and have one less window to express our opinion. News24 and other media outlets affiliated with it in the media group cannot practice their profession and cannot provide the public with news. This is in the public interest, to have freedom of expression and uncontrolled and uncensored information."
"This media outlet, like many others that did not bow to the government's line, has been hit. News24 did not submit and is paying the price by confronting the police and the military, who do not allow journalists to do their work," said Zhupa.
The MP warned that she will follow all legal steps: "We will officially ask the Audiovisual Media Authority to react, because today a media outlet does not have its own signal, as required by law. We will also ask the parliament to take urgent measures and meet to discuss media freedom in the country."
The protest comes three days after News24 television's signal was violently cut off, while today IKMT appeared to demolish a connecting bridge between two buildings, which is considered very important from a technical point of view in the functioning of the television.
The head of AGSH, journalist Isa Myzyraj, speaking at the protest, said that "these are difficult days for the journalist community and for media freedom in Albania."
"We call on the police, the Ministry of Defense, the IKMT and every institution to stop any action that could bring irreparable consequences for the television. We have encountered an institutional and legal blockade for the documentation related to this occupation. The government is guilty, because it is legitimizing this act by bringing police and soldiers inside a television station," said Myzyraj.
Isa Myzyraj concluded by recalling previous attacks on the media: "Yesterday Agon Channel and Ora News were closed, today it is News24's turn. Who would have thought that the largest news television station in the country would face police and soldiers?"
Journalist Endri Xhafo stated that the situation created is not a conflict of many issues, but a larger issue, the right of journalists to work freely to inform the public without fear.
"Today's Albania resembles that expression attributed to the former president of Uganda, Idi Amin: 'There is freedom of speech, but it cannot guarantee freedom after speech,'" said Xhafo.
Xhafo said that, two days ago, the policy, without a court decision and without execution, blocked access to the buildings of News24. “The interruption included not only the premises with a concluded contract, but also those with a contract in force until 2033, which are not subject to any judicial or government decision.
"When the primary work of the media is hindered, not only does a television station lose, but the entire society loses," said Xhafo.
Journalist Osman Stafa said that "News24, the first news television station in Albania in 25 years, is facing an unprecedented blow. Journalists have done nothing to deserve this treatment by the police and army, as if they were criminals. The journalist's only weapon is a microphone and a camera, and their duty is to denounce corruption and abuses."
He emphasized that the intervention is taking place precisely in an area where a military production unit will be installed, while there are dozens and hundreds of other military factories and units in the country that are not affected, except for News24, which does not stand on the government's editorial line.
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