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The Audiovisual Media Authority, AMA, fined Albanian Radio Television, RTSH, 100,000 lekë, after finding that the behavior of the moderator and guests on the sports show "Super Gol" towards a Ghanaian footballer was discriminatory and racist.
"The content of this communication contains derogatory elements with a discriminatory overtone based on racial motives," the AMA's decision of November 17th states, following a wide public debate regarding the treatment of Burrel footballer Arnold Kwaku Siaw during a live broadcast.
On the broadcast, Siaw was invited to speak, but initially moderator Hygerta Sako said she couldn't pronounce his name, and after the journalist read the name, Sako and the guests laughed. The situation escalated when the footballer appeared on the screen in a blackout and the guests made jokes that alluded to his skin color.
The Complaints Council at the AMA that reviewed the case found that RTSH, the show's host, the journalist, and the guests engaged in denigrating behavior.
"The journalist in the field and the guests in the studio displayed attitudes and reactions with laughter regarding the name of the African footballer and his presence on the screen. The host of the show does not intervene to calm the situation or to orient the discussion in a professional manner, but laughs herself, becoming part of the problem," the decision's justification states.
AMA says that the Complaints Council assessed the behavior of the participants in the program and had observed violations of the principles of human dignity and non-discrimination, “seriously violating the ethics of public broadcasting.” “RTSH, as a public operator, has an increased responsibility for respecting professional and ethical standards, especially in sports programs with a wide public impact,” the Council’s position states, which requested the measures be taken.
Six AMA members, chair Armela Krasniqi, deputy chair Desada Metaj and members Aurela Bicja, Besian Zogaj, Gjergji Hamiti and Joana Allushi voted in favor of the fine, the ban on rebroadcasting of the show and its removal online. Member Jetmir Halilaj voted against.
RTSH and the show's hosts denied the unethical behavior, despite criticism. They initially claimed that the situation was the result of a technical glitch. Sako herself insisted in an interview with RTSH that there was no display of racism and that she was being attacked by ill-wishers or for clickbait. "The important thing is that it has nothing to do with racism or mockery," Sako said in the interview, explaining that the laughter was related to her inability to read the player's name due to vision problems, and not to the player himself.
Earlier, the Burrel club for which the player plays reacted to the show. “On a sports TV show, a shameful act of bullying and mockery was committed against our player Siaw,” the club’s official Facebook page read. They stressed that the player had scored decisive goals and deserved praise, not ridicule. They accused RTSH and the participants in the show of racism. “This is not humor, but racism and a lack of respect for an athlete who gives his best on the field,” the club’s response read.
Arnold Kwaku Siaw has been playing in the Albanian First Division since January 2024. He transferred to Burrel in August and has played 12 official matches and scored 2 goals. Black footballers in Albania often face racism in stadiums, but mainly from rival team fans. / BIRN
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