The Audiovisual Media Authority calls on audiovisual media service providers to be careful whenever violence is encouraged on their screens, including when such incitement comes from studio guests, individuals interviewed outside the studio, or callers.
Through a series of animated videos, AMA seeks to draw attention to this phenomenon and highlight media’s editorial responsibility. The videos feature quotations from discussions aired on television programmes and identified by AMA’s monitoring teams.
In one of the exchanges identified by AMA, the first speaker stated: “In Shkodër, students have broken into the Democratic Party headquarters.” The second speaker responded: “They got what they deserved; they should set that building on fire too. They should set fire to the SHQUP headquarters here as well”.
In another televised discussion, the following statement was made:
“I call on the police. You will all be identified. And you will all be held accountable one by one. A day will come when you won’t find a hole to hide in. As for the bastard at the top who gives you orders, the Albanians will deal with him. Starting with the director and going down, in seven generations, in seven generations your wealth will be tracked. We’ll even pull the sh** out of your heads. And we’ll pull the sh** out of your wives’ heads too”.
With these videos, AMA aims to raise awareness among journalists and the public that inciting violence is unjustifiable, without labeling the media.
Editorial responsibility demands a response. The journalist must intervene, challenge these statements and clearly distance themselves from them.
Law No. 97/2013, “On Audiovisual Media in the Republic of Albania”, as amended, establishes in Article 4, paragraph 2, point (f), the principle prohibiting the broadcast of content “that incites or justifies violence”.
Pursuant to Article 33, paragraph 1, point (d), the audiovisual media service provider is required to “comply with the rules of ethics and public morality and refrain from broadcasting programmes that may incite criminal acts”.
Respect for editorial freedom goes hand in hand with the obligation to ensure that television screens do not become platforms for inciting violence.
The Audiovisual Media Authority has taken measures against those responsible for violations, in accordance with the powers conferred upon it by law.
