FLASH
Shkruar nga Nikollë Lesi
If the municipality or the government had not given him a building permit for a private media building, then Irfani is right. If the AMA, indirectly the government, had revoked his television license, then Irfani is right...
Today, the State Police did not allow employees and journalists of News24 and other media outlets of Irfan Hysenbelliu to enter a state-owned building.
A well-known opposition journalist called me on my cell phone today, shortly after this event, and asked me, "Is this siege of News24 similar to the siege of the Koha Jonë newspaper editorial office on the night of March 3, 1997?"
And I answered briefly: NO!
Then the good colleague hung up the phone. I checked to see if he had published my response, and I noticed that he hadn't.
Since my colleague friend, who works for a Democratic Party media outlet, asked me, I have to explain myself to the public, even as the publisher of the largest independent newspaper in the history of Albanian media, the newspaper Koha Jonë.
Today's clash between Police and News24, or more precisely between police and media owners, has nothing to do with the noise that the state is violating free media or the cries of some from the blue headquarters or even my good friend, former MP Dhurata Çupi, who said that "Silence today for News24 is silence for every media outlet that could suffer the same fate tomorrow. Therefore, a social reaction is needed."
Let me say this so that I am not misunderstood by those who never read an article to the end: I absolutely do not agree with government retaliation or punishment, whoever is in power!
And in this case, a clarification is needed from the responsible state structures whether there was a written notification to the media company, or more precisely to the owner of News24, etc. Mr. Irfan Hysenbelliu, regarding the vacating of the state offices that were once leased?
While the building remains the property of the government, and every government knows how to manage its property!
A few more words about Irfan Hysenbelliu. I'm doing it because there are still some who can't wait to read to the end!
Irfani, who owns News24 and several important media outlets in the country, remains one of the most benevolent and humane media owners with his media employees. An initiator, a seeker, and never satisfied with his great achievements in life.
But the truth remains; the state owns the News24 building. And there is a plan to turn it into a military production facility.
Whether the government's intention was to take back the building, i.e. terminate the lease, or not, is debatable. It is said that the lease had expired and the Ministry did not renew it.
And he did it legally!
Where is the violence in this case?!
I warned you, don't come inside and I won't let you!
If it was a private building, then I would go out to the door of News24 with my colleagues against Edi Rama. If they have revoked the television license, News24 journalists have the right not only to protest, but also to enter the Prime Minister's office.
Very well, the famous Irfan, as a builder and remains one of the most qualitative builders in Tirana, could have built a private building for his media.
If the municipality or the government had not granted a construction permit for a private media building, then Irfani is right. If the AMA, and indirectly the government, had revoked his television license, then Irfani is right.
Therefore, the comparison with the siege and complete burning of the Koha Jonë newspaper editorial office on March 3, 1997 has no comparison with today's event at News24.
Most people know, but especially today's youth, who were not born then, I must tell you that it was the State Police, the State Secret Service (SHIK) and the Republic Guard on March 3, 1997 that forcibly entered the offices of the Koha Jonë newspaper at two in the morning; they shot at the walls with automatic weapons, burned computers, tables with napalm; everything. They forcibly took away the journalist Zamir Dule who was sleeping in the Koha Jonë offices. They kidnapped the newspaper's driver, Anesti Nikolla. They forcibly sent them to police station number three and beat them in their cells. They maimed Zamir Dule and he became a man no more, until he died in Korça.
The burned-down offices of Koha Jonë meant that the newspaper was out of print for 42 days.
It was the state, the perpetrator. And this was confirmed by the Supreme Court after 19 years from the event, in December 2016, it was accepted that the editorial office of the largest Albanian newspaper was destroyed by the state.
Not to mention the big clash with Prime Minister Fatos Nano between 2003-2005, what he did to the newspaper Koha Jonë. All the vile things in the world!
Of course, state violence has different forms and nuances, at different times.
I am completely clear about this!
But I wanted to clarify my colleague who made an incomparable comparison.
Lini një Përgjigje