OSCE Welcomes Establishment of Media Ethics Council in Albania

OSCE

29 September 2006

The OSCE Representative on the Freedom of the Media, Miklos Haraszti, and the Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Ambassador Pavel Vacek, welcomed today the creation of the Albanian Council on Media Ethics.

On 27 September, the Association of Professional Journalists, the Journalists' League, the Forum of Free Media, and the Union of Journalists signed an agreement to establish the Council and commit to respect a revised Code of Ethics.

"Such instruments of self-regulation as press councils and codes of ethics are very well suited to increase professionalism in the media, while preserving editorial independence," said Miklos Haraszti.

"As they are used by the media and in the interest of the media, their level of acceptance should be high. It is important to create these instruments of self-regulation with an inclusive approach. I am pleased to see this happen in Albania."

The Council on Media Ethics will comprise seven recognized public figures and serve as an ethics coach and a non-official court on disputes between the public and media.

Ambassador Pavel Vacek added: "The OSCE Presence supported this initiative of the media community from the very beginning. The Council is a very useful body that will help further develop the ethical and professional standards of the Albanian media. We will continue to work with the Council in the future."