Today, on December 20, 2018, the Audiovisual Media Authority (AMA) organized the second-round table to discuss about the proposed amendments to the Law No. 97/2013 “On Audiovisual Media in the Republic of Albania”, as amended.
This draft law intends to lay down a legal framework governing the content of information provided online by electronic publication service providers in order to guarantee the right to information, the right of reply and the protection of dignity and fundamental human rights and freedoms. Nowadays, online media is increasingly occupying the Albanian media space, therefore it is necessary to regulate its activity by law.
Online piracy and protection of broadcasting rights were at the center of discussions of this meeting. Many representatives of AMA, Electronic and Postal Communications Authority, Financial Crimes Investigation Department, Cybercrime Investigation Department of the Criminal Police Department, State Police, and representatives of Tring and Digitalb television platforms were present at this meeting. Considering that audio operators were regulated by law up to date, problems they raised were the regulation of broadcasting audiovisual content on online pirate sites, in particular of exclusive rights programs.
They asked for the Law to define clearly the procedures for the prohibition of these acts and to insert their comments in the draft, so that their problems could be resolved as soon as possible. All the parties invited at the meeting were very cooperative and their comments on the draft law will be sent by 7 January 2019.
The consultations on this draft law will continue in the following days, with broader groups of interest.
Audiovisual Media Authority
Tirana, on 20.12.2018
