O SBE vs Rama: Touching Media Freedom

O representative The SEU for Media Freedom, Harlem Désir, expressed concern today over the announcement of a new census system for 44 websites in Albania and possible closure.

On October 15th, Albania's Electronic and Post Communications Authority released a list of 44 media sites, which should be registered with the National Business Centre and equipped with NIPT within 72 hours, which they should then publish online.

Disobedience of this order results in closing websites. This initiative, supported by the government, is reported to have been designed to provide solutions to online slander.

“The states should not impose mandatory registration on online media as preconditions for their work, which could have a very negative effect on media freedom. This practice, when implemented, can significantly limit public access to varied sources of information and plurality of voices, as well as erode the right to freedom of speech and online information”, Désir said.

The representative called on Albanian authorities to review these measures, consider all possible options for dealing with the slander issue, and to launch a comprehensive debate with relevant civil society and media actors.

The “is extremely important to provide more information about the precise objectives of the announced measures, as well as the criteria on which the 44 internet pages“are selected, Désir added.

Furthermore, he requested clarification on the legal basis of the NIPT's application for publishing of these websites, as well as the legal basis for closing websites.

In a letter to Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama on the matter, the representative also offered his legal assistance. Désir called attention to recommendations from his Office for the protection of media freedom and freedom of expression in regulating online content in Southeast Europe, stressing that any regulation of online content should take into account international obligations, including commitments under the OSCE.