Albanian parliament has filled the six vacancies of the Albanian Media Authority following a vote on Thursday (17 February).
With over three-fifths of the parliaments’ votes, the new members of AMA’s board will be Aurela Bicja, Besjan Zogaj, Desada Metaj, Gjergj Hamiti, Jetmir Halilaj and Joana Allushi.
Allushi is a journalist at RTSH, the state broadcaster, Hamiti is a ‘communication and visibility expert’ with experience in PR for the EU, UN, World Bank and EBRD, Halilaj is a sports journalist, Metaj is a well-known editor in chief, journalist, and political communications advisor, Zogaj is a lecturer at the European University of Tirana and a political advisor, and Bicja is a lawyer.
The candidates were selected via a closed-door meeting of the Media Commission earlier in the week following the suggestions and vetos of parliament’s political parties.
From 2019, AMA had three vacancies, and a further three became vacant in 2021. The Socialist Party tried to fill them at several points during the last year but failed. They were repeatedly accused of gaining control of the institution by placing their preferred picks into it.
The head of AMA is Armela Krasniqi, former director of communications for Prime Minister Edi Rama and long-time PS communications worker. Her appointment was made against calls from the EU and media organisations both locally and abroad, who called for a pause until the opposition was in parliament and could have their say.
AMA could potentially oversee Albania’s entire online media sector if parliament approves the controversial anti-defamation package of amendments. The laws in their current form would see all online media controlled by AMA and potentially facing significant fines, popups, and other penalties if they violate rules on fake news or disinformation without a court case.
The EU, EC, media freedom and human rights organisations, and MEPs have widely condemned the package. The Albanian government claims it will not implement the law, but it remains on the parliament’s agenda. It requires a simple majority to become law.
