Documenti
Tirana TVSH Television Network in Albanian 1800 GMT 20 May 97
In a statement brought to Albanian Television, the Journalists League
issues an appeal to the institutions of the Albanian state, the
International Federation of Journalists, and various international
institutions that defend the press, concerning the severe plight of most of the
press in Albania. For more than two months, the so-called salvation committees
have prevented the distribution of independent newspapers and those of
right-wing parties in six districts in southern Albania. In these areas, the
so-called salvation committees only allow the distribution of the newspaper Zeri
i Popullit, the organ of the Socialist Party, and other newspapers that are
close to the Socialist Party, like Koha Jone and others. The committees have
forcibly prevented the distribution of non-left-wing papers and the independent
newspapers Albania and Rilindja, often burning them. Gangsters have burned
vehicles and in some cases have abused journalists and technical personnel
involved in the distribution of the press. The Journalists League has repeatedly
asked for help from the Albanian Government and Prime Minister Fino personally
to create equal conditions for the Albanian press. However, neither the
government nor Prime Minister Fino has even formally taken any step to improve
the situation. This political discrimination against the press and the ban on
the distribution of more than half of the press for political reasons is a very
serious act against the fundamental principles of a democratic society. The
Journalists League of Albania protests the forcible ban on the distribution of
the press for political reasons, and asks for the help of the institutions if
the Albanian state, the International Federation of Journalists, and other
institutions in order to put an end to this state of affairs.