The Chair of AMA, Ms. Armela Krasniqi, has reacted on her official social media accounts regarding the discriminatory language used in the show Big Brother VIP 4, broadcast on the paid platform DigitAlb. She has condemned the incident and has reminded all audiovisual media service providers that hate speech is a punishable act that not only violates human rights but also incites and leads to violence.
Below the full reaction of the Chair of AMA:
I have followed with concern the situation created late at night on the show Big Brother VIP 4, broadcast on the paid platform DigitAlb. Strongly condemning the use of discriminatory, hateful, and divisive language by one of the contestants – who is moreover a well-known public figure—against another contestant, I remind the media service provider in question, as well as every other operator, that hate speech and language that incites discrimination not only violates human rights but also leads to violence.
I welcome the BBV 4 production team reaction in the form of the expulsion of the individual responsible for this situation. I consider this not only an act of ethical responsibility but also a fulfillment of the obligations that audiovisual content, across all genres, must adhere to in accordance with the legal and regulatory provisions governing audiovisual broadcasts in the Republic of Albania.
Since the beginning of this format broadcast, the responsible structures at AMA have been in continuous communication with both the audiovisual media service provider, as well as the platform and the production team, informing them of public concerns and taking action in cases where violations of the provisions of the Law or the Code have been identified.
AMA will continue to monitor audiovisual broadcasts, identifying and reviewing any instances of non-compliance with the requirements of the amended law “On Audiovisual Media in the Republic of Albania” and the Broadcasting Code, as well as addressing them to the respective audiovisual media service providers.
Our expectations align with those of the general public regarding the respect of human dignity and the ethical-professional standards of audiovisual broadcasting.
V.O.: A deeply personal note. I feel even more affected, as a bride in Kosovo and a grandmother to two grandsons from Kosovo. Such rhetoric, such ugly insults, are nothing more than dangerous acts of division that do not befit an Albanian!
