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The Journalists' Association of Albania has condemned the lynchpin language of Democratic Leader Sali Berisha towards the media, media owners and journalists during his public communication with citizens on Saturday.
The Association considers Berisha's labels as "free speech mafia", "mafia media owners", "murderers of truth", "humble servants" or any other formulation that aims to delegitimize the media due to its editorial line, critical stances or the space it gives to various public actors unacceptable and harmful to the climate of press freedom in the country.
AGSH emphasizes that criticism of the media is legitimate in a democratic society, but it cannot turn into lynching language, public intimidation or a generalized attack on journalists and editorial offices.
"The Journalists' Association of Albania condemns the language used by the leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, towards the media, media owners, journalists and the media space as a whole, during his public communication with citizens on Saturday.
Labels such as "free speech mafia", "mafia media owners", "truth killers", "humble servants" or any other formulation that aims to delegitimize the media due to its editorial line, critical stances or the space it gives to various public actors, are unacceptable and harmful to the climate of press freedom in the country.
AGSH emphasizes that criticism of the media is legitimate in a democratic society, but it cannot turn into lynching language, public intimidation or a generalized attack on journalists and editorial offices. Politicians, especially those who hold high public offices or lead political parties, have an increased responsibility to avoid language that incites hostility, pressure or organized distrust of the media.
"The media in Albania has real problems related to ownership, transparency, political and economic pressure, but these issues should be addressed through responsible public debate, legal mechanisms, self-regulation and professional standards, not through denigrating attacks that risk targeting journalists," the statement reads.
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