Rights Groups Urge Albania to ‘Rethink’ Disputed Media Law

Seven international rights organizations sent an open letter to the Albanian Parliament, raising their concern over the reports that the ruling party in the country is pressing on with legislation, targeting online media, despite the Venice Commission’s international criticism. In the letter, they urge the Parliament to reconsider the ongoing legislative procedure and put a transparent process that leads to the appropriate legislation that addresses all the Venice Commission’s recommendations and includes civil society and representatives of the media. They allude that the legislation, first proposed by the Albanian Prime Minister, known as an “anti-defamation package,” aims to create an administrative body. The new legislation will empower the body to order media to take down news reports over issues such as “infringing the dignity of individuals”, under the threat of heavy fines that could have a chilling effect. Read more here.

Source: Balkan Insight