The Albanian Journalists Association (AJA) has opposed the new regulations issued by the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO), which are expected to take effect on September 1. According to the organization, the proposed rules impose unacceptable and unjustified restrictions on journalists carrying out their work.
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AJA’s main concern relates to the ban on media representatives using mobile phones during court hearings. The association stresses that a phone is not merely an electronic device, but an essential work tool for communicating with newsrooms, reporting in real time and conveying information to the public.
In its statement, the organization argues that such a measure does not facilitate the administration of justice, but unjustifiably restricts the public’s constitutional right to information. According to AJA, this is even more problematic at a time when landmark proceedings of significant public interest are taking place in the country, particularly before the Special Court.
Regarding the presence of cameras and recording inside courtrooms, AJA believes that the discussion should focus on the proper implementation of the law and the guidelines of the High Judicial Council, instead of moving toward blanket bans.
The comparative report published by the association concludes that Albania does not need additional restrictions. According to the report, what is needed is the consistent application of the rules currently in force, specific reasoning for decisions on each request, and permission for partial recordings as an alternative to complete bans.
AJA’s main recommendation is to guarantee the recording of the opening portion of hearings, in accordance with the HJC guidelines. The organization also calls for each request to be considered individually and for any restriction imposed on the media to be proportionate, justified and grounded in law.
For this reason, the association has called on GJKKO’s leadership to postpone the regulations’ entry into force and begin a consultation process with AJA, the journalistic community, media organizations and other interested parties.
According to AJA, an act with such a significant impact on media freedom and citizens’ right to information should not be adopted without dialogue or without meeting transparency standards.
The association has expressed its readiness to provide its expertise and make available the recommendations contained in its recently published report. According to the organization, the aim is to create a model that ensures both the proper conduct of judicial proceedings and the media’s ability to inform the public freely, professionally and responsibly.
