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Violent images and inappropriate language on television: In 2 days, AMA issues 9 “Warnings”

In the past two days, the Audiovisual Media Authority has issued 9 “Warnings” to 9 different television stations for airing violent images and inappropriate language.

The broadcast of extreme violence, without any blurring techniques, in news editions on 5 television stations, as well as the broadcasting of music videos containing inappropriate language in song lyrics, depictions of violence, displays of weapons, drug and alcohol use, and unethical gestures by performers, broadcasted during inappropriate time slots on 4 other music channels, have led to these warning measures.

In cases identified through content monitoring, the Chair of AMA, Ms. Armela Krasniqi, has also stated that. “The display of violence on television broadcasts must come to an end,” she stated. “The broadcasting of extreme violence in news editions, as revealed by the monitoring over the past two days, is unacceptable. Not only does it violate current legal provisions, but showcasing violence is an act that causes harm. Violence brings violence. The Albanian public has the right to be protected from such unnecessary exposure, and media professionals must not forget this.”

The use of violence or the broadcasting of other inappropriate content on screens is explicitly prohibited by the legal provisions in force.

For the aforementioned cases, the following violations have been identified:

– Article 4 of Law 97/2013, which addresses the main principles on the activity of media service providers specifies that: “This activity respects especially the interests and legal and moral requirements on the protection of minors,” point 1/b. Furthermore, point 2/dh states that audiovisual service operators during their activity, are guided by the principle of “prohibition of broadcasts that simulate or justify violence”.

– Article 32/1, specifies that: “The audio and audiovisual programs provided by audiovisual media service providers that may harm the physical, mental or moral development of children will only broadcast in the way that ensures children to not normally hear or see them, by choosing the broadcast time, applying the age verification tools or other technical measures. AMSPs shall take protective measures in proportion to the effects these programs have on the moral, mental and physical development of children”.

– Article 33, point 1/d, which lists the obligations of audiovisual media service providers, specifies that: “The audiovisual media service providers shall respect the rules of ethics and public morals and not broadcast programs that may encourage criminal acts”.

– Article 33 that emphasizes the obligations of audiovisual media service providers, states that the audiovisual media service providers must “not violate human dignity and fundamental rights” point 1/ç.

– The Broadcasting Code, Section 3, which specifies that: “Audiovisual media service providers, must not promote violence for sensational purposes directly or indirectly in informative programs,” point 3.9, as well as other points in Section 4 of this Code, “For children in audio and audiovisual broadcasts.”

For these reasons, we urge media professionals to ensure that such cases are not repeated, remembering that the public’s interest must remain their highest priority. The Chair Krasniqi has warned that AMA will continue to have a monitoring role in ensuring a rigorous enforcement of the law and implementing the measures the law predicts.

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