Albanian academic and former journalist Jonila Godole has called the action against Ora News, a message to other media that is critical of the Socialist Party government
In an interview with Ora, she said that she expects to see the situation deteriorate further between now and the 2021 general elections.
Godole was one of Albania’s first independent journalists following the collapse of Communism. She is a writer, translator, lecturer, academic, and researcher with specialisms in democracy and the development of media and journalism in post-communist countries.
The owner of Ora News and RTV Ora, Ylli Ndroqi had his assets seized earlier this month over suspicions he was and is involved in drug trafficking. On the order of the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution (SPAK), his assets including vehicles, property, and companies were seized.
Armed police were sent to the premises of Ora News.
Ndroqi claims that the action against him is political pressure due to his station’s criticism of Mayor of Tirana Erion Veliaj and Prime Minister Edi Rama. He is currently embroiled in a defamation suit against Veliaj. In fact, Ora was hit with state action twice in two months. Back in May, it was ordered to be closed due to alleged violations of social distancing regulations. Due to widespread outcry, they were allowed to continue operating.
Despite Ndroqi’s claims, it has been confirmed by Interpol that Ndroqi had used an alias. This alias was investigated and charged in connection with drug trafficking in Italy and Turkey.
The Albanian Media Council echoed Godole’s sentiments saying that while the rule of law must be upheld and justice sought, the actions of the police send a chilling message to critical journalists and platforms. They called it a “de facto attack on free speech” and said that by bringing the stations under the control of government-appointed administrators, the editorial line was also “under seizure.”
The Albanian chapter of the Association of European Journalists made an appeal to the international community to look at the seizures in the context of Albania’s deteriorating media climate. They said that Rama’s government was “showing clear tendencies of an authoritarian regime.”
International media freedom organisation Reporters Without Borders said that judicial proceedings against Ndroqi should not threaten the editorial line and independence of the journalists.
In a press release issued this morning, RSF Editor in Chief Pauling Ades-Mevel said that “in the run up to next spring’s parliamentary elections, it’s more essential than ever that the authorities respect media pluralism and allow all viewpoints, including the most critical, to be expressed.”
