
The organization "Safe Journalist" has strongly reacted to the appointment of Alfred Peza as the director of RTSH
Citing legal and ethical issues related to Peza's strong political history, Safe Journalist has called for immediate action to preserve the integrity of public broadcasting.
The letter in question was addressed to the chairwoman of the Media and Public Information Commission, Flutura Açka, and to the deputy of the SP Petro Koçi.
We , the Safe Journalists Network in the Western Balkans, are writing to you to express our deep concern regarding the recent appointment of Mr. Alfred Peza as General Director of the public media service - Albanian Radio Television (RTSH). Our concerns stem from Mr. Peza's significant political history, including his tenure as a Socialist Party MP from 2013-2017 and as the Socialist Party's Secretary of Civil Society and Media Relations until September 2021.
According to the Law on Audiovisual Media No. 97/2013, article 104, individuals who have held positions of deputy or have been candidates for deputies in the last two legislatures, or are or have been members of political parties or organizations, do not have the right to hold the position of General Director in television public ", it is emphasized in the letter.
The letter states that Article 10 of the RTSH Statute underlines the necessity of maintaining political neutrality for the role of the General Director, saying that "The General Director should not receive instructions from a political group or party". According to "Safe Journalist", taking into account the considerable political background of Mr. Peza and the extent of his involvement in party activities, it becomes difficult to predict how he will maintain the necessary political independence and neutrality.
“Vërejmë me shqetësim se procesi i përzgjedhjes u karakterizua edhe nga konkurrenca e kufizuar nga kandidatët e tjerë, duke ngritur më tej shqetësimin për legjitimitetin e emërimit. Prania e kandidatëve të tjerë me lidhje me zotin Peza vë në pikëpyetje drejtësinë dhe hapjen e procesit të përzgjedhjes. Ne i bëjmë thirrje me forcë Komisionit Parlamentar për Arsimin dhe Mjetet e Informimit Publik në Shqipëri që të shqyrtojë me përpikëri këto shqetësime. Është e rëndësishme të sigurohet që parimet e paanshmërisë, pavarësisë dhe profesionalizmit të mbeten gurët e themelit të RTSH. Në kontekstin e peizazhit mediatik të Shqipërisë, ku lufta për lirinë e medias është e vazhdueshme, paanshmëria e shërbimit të transmetimit publik ka peshë të konsiderueshme pasi në parim ai luan një rol vendimtar në forcimin e proceseve demokratike", it is said further.
Lini një Përgjigje