The Audiovisual Media Authority, within the framework of the European Commission’s TAIEX instrument, held a workshop in Tirana today entitled “Developing the legal framework for audiovisual media in line with the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) and the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA)”.
The workshop aims to support the Audiovisual Media Authority in implementing the recent amendments to Law No. 97/2013, “On Audiovisual Media in the Republic of Albania”, while further advancing Albania’s alignment with the European Union’s regulatory framework governing audiovisual media.
The roundtable brought together the media industry representatives, audiovisual market operators, Albanian and European institutions, experts and European regulators, creating a professional space for the exchange of experiences, best practices and practical models for implementing European media legislation.
Discussions focused on the new legal provisions concerning media ownership transparency, the disclosure of beneficial owners, public funding and state advertising transparency, as well as the regulatory obligations arising from the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) and the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA).
“Through this cooperation, we not only benefit from European experience and expertise, but also ensure that the reforms we undertake are fully aligned with the standards and values that the European Union promotes for a free, pluralistic, independent and transparent media landscape”, said AMA’s Chairwoman.
Continuing her remarks, Ms. Krasniqi emphasized that Albania’s legal framework for audiovisual media has not been established at a single point in time but has evolved gradually and continuously, in step with the European legislation evolution and in response to the needs of a media market undergoing constant transformation.
“Law No. 97/2013 “On Audiovisual Media in the Republic of Albania”, as amended, remains the fundamental pillar of our legal framework. Nevertheless, it has undergone a continuous updating process in order to reflect the most important developments at the European Union level. A key milestone in this process was the package of legal amendments adopted in 2023, which enabled the transposition of the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive main elements. These amendments extended AMA’s jurisdiction and regulatory competences to video-sharing platforms, strengthened the protection of minors, introduced enhanced measures to ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities, and established, for the first time, transparency obligations regarding the media service providers’ ownership structures”, the Chairwoman explained.
This year marked another significant step forward with the adoption of Law No. 15/2026, which transposes the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). According to AMA’s Chairwoman, this law further advances the framework for media ownership transparency by introducing a clear definition of the beneficial owner, establishing concrete reporting obligations for media service providers, providing for the creation of a national electronic media ownership register administered by AMA and introducing a proportionate system of administrative measures to ensure the effective implementation of these obligations.
“For us, this reform does not merely represent the fulfilment of an obligation within the framework of the alignment process with the European Union acquis. It represents an important instrument for strengthening public trust in the media, by ensuring that citizens have the opportunity to know who is behind the ownership and control of the media outlets from which they receive information every day”, concluded AMA’s Chairwoman.
The Director of the Legal Directorate of the Audiovisual Media Authority, Ms. Donika Daci, then presented the key amendments introduced by Law No. 15/2026 and their impact on Albania’s legal framework for audiovisual media. She outlined the new provisions concerning media ownership transparency, the updated legal definitions, the obligations of media service providers, reporting procedures and the administrative measures introduced to ensure effective compliance with the law.
European Union experts presented best practices from Member States on media ownership disclosure, public transparency registers, reporting mechanisms, interinstitutional cooperation and regulatory oversight. The workshop also addressed the process of drafting the secondary legislation and implementing acts required to ensure the effective implementation of Albania’s new legal framework.
This activity aims to strengthen the Audiovisual Media Authority’s institutional capacities, facilitate the exchange of best practices with the counterpart regulatory authorities of European Union Member States and support the alignment of Albanian legislation with the European Union acquis in the audiovisual media field.
TAIEX is an instrument of the European Commission that provides short-term technical assistance to the public administrations of partner countries, supporting the alignment of their legislation and administrative practices with European Union standards. The workshop will continue on 17 July with a training session dedicated to the Audiovisual Media Authority’s staff.
