The enhancement of dialogue on media independence and impartiality, based on the objectives outlined in the Rule of Law Roadmap for freedom of expression, including media freedom and pluralism, brought together representatives from the Audiovisual Media Authority, the European Movement in Albania (EMA), the Center for Transparency and Free Information (CTFI), experts, journalists, and others for a discussion roundtable in Tirana.
During the meeting, organized within the framework of the National Convention on European Integration, AMA Chair Armela Krasniqi provided an overview of the work done in 2024, emphasizing the right to information, freedom of expression, and media pluralism.
“The news of the opening of negotiations for Chapter 1 – Fundamentals, where AMA has also played its part, was an anticipated and well-deserved achievement for Albania. Naturally, this is also a step forward that places us before new challenges, including dialogue on the independence and impartiality of the media as well as its freedom and pluralism,” she stated.
The Chair of AMA explained that one of the EU’s requirements, Media Ownership Transparency, has now been fulfilled. She added that, beyond the legal framework, AMA has prepared the registry and has graphically presented on its official website the ownership structure declaration and transparency of corporations or individuals licensed/authorized by AMA, as well as the declaration of the beneficial owners of these entities operating in the audio and audiovisual sectors in Albania.
“The 2023 Progress Report of the European Union for Albania identifies market concentration and lack of transparency in media financing as a significant concern for media freedom in the country. Following the October screening process, the 2024-2030 Rule of Law Roadmap, approved by the Council of Ministers Decision in December 2023, tasked AMA with addressing the issue of media market concentration and ensuring transparency in media ownership.
In this context, through Decision No. 40 of April this year, the Audiovisual Media Authority approved the regulation “On the Requirements and Procedures for Reviewing Changes in the Ownership Structure and Ownership Data Transparency of AVMSP’s Providers.” This regulation, drafted following the transposition of the 2018 Directive into the institution’s legislation, has introduced advancements in several areas:
- AMA’s review of ownership structure changes within the same AVMSP legal entity that do not result in the transfer or cession of rights derived from the license or authorization.
- Review of ownership structure changes between private legal entities in cases of civil legal relations that lead to the transfer or cession of rights derived from the license or authorization.
- Declaration of information on the composition of the ownership structure of the AVMSP’s legal entity holding a license or authorization from AMA, including direct and indirect beneficial owners.
- Enhanced transparency regarding the origin of funding related to commercial transactions of the media corporation’s capital carried out by partners/shareholders.
- Declaration of any potential conflicts of interest affecting the AVMSP’s activity due to its owners, etc.
The regulation also enables the collaboration between the regulator and other state institutions or agencies directly linked to the practical implementation of the regulation on a case-by-case basis, etc.” AMA representatives clarified.
Completing the overview of AMA’s work, Krasniqi emphasized that the Audiovisual Media Authority is committed to enhancing its promotional role in audience measurement process, its regulatory role regarding violations or unregulated areas, particularly the phenomenon of online piracy and Video Sharing Platforms relationships, and its active role in raising awareness and educating through the Media Literacy process.
Meanwhile, the Director of the Legal Directorate at the Audiovisual Media Authority, Donika Daci, explained to the participants the efforts made toward Media Ownership Transparency, as well as the article-by-article restrictions on media ownership defined in the specific law under which AMA operates.
During this roundtable, the Executive Director of the Center for Transparency and Free Information, Sami Neza, presented a report on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in media. Based on the monitoring and interviews with news anchors, he stated that a methodology has been developed and the AI readiness index in audiovisual media has been measured using two models, AIRI and CISCO, along with a monitoring report on the use of AI in news editions.
Additionally, expert Tomas Kamenec shared Slovakia’s experience regarding media ownership transparency.
The roundtable, moderated by the head of the European Movement in Albania, Gledis Gjipali, continued with questions and discussions from the participants
