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On the annual International Day for Universal Access to Information, BIRN has released data showing dramatic drops in responses to freedom of information requests by official bodies, either in time or in their entirety.
Seven international rights organisations on Wednesday called on parliament in Albania not to press on with a law targeting the online media that both the Albanian President and the Venice Commission have criticised as flawed.
The SafeJournalists Network which represents more than 8200 media professionals in the Western Balkans has spoken of its concern at the Albanian governments plans to pass the controversial “anti-defamation law” without taking into account the recommendations of the Venice Commission.
President Meta has shown solidarity with journalists regarding the decision of the socialist majority to approve, without changes, the law on media. This law which, among other things, will censor and provide high fines for journalists and media without any investigation or court decision.
Albanian civil society organisations have raised alarm over the apparent plan of the Albanian government to pass the controversial media law without implementing the recommendations of the Venice Commission.
Journalist and managing director of RTV Dukagjini in Kosovo has received serious threats from a number of individuals on social media. Several of these included threats against his life.
The Association of Journalists of Kosovo, considers the language used by the leader of AAK and former Prime Minister of the country, Ramush Haradinaj, towards journalists unacceptable.
Albanian media is notorious for being owned by individuals with little experience in the media. Reporters Without Borders noted that Albanian media is in the hands of a few family-owned groups that dominate the media landscape.
Media associations in Bulgaria have condemned assaults and teargassing of journalists by police during the anti-government protests in the country’s capital city Sofia.
The platform of North Macedonia’s new government emphasises media reforms and the fight against fake news – but omits some important former promises.
