The European Federation of News Reporters (EFJ), alongside its Albanian affiliate, the Association of Albanian News Reporters (AGSH), has voiced significant concern regarding the recently established internal rules of the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKK). The organization’s apprehension stems from provisions within these new rules that impose considerable restrictions on journalists’ access to court proceedings and the subsequent publication of news. The EFJ and AGSH noted that the proper framework, intended to govern the mutual relationship between the court, the justice system, and the media, was slated for adoption by the High Court of Justice starting in 2023.
However, they contend that this crucial set of guidelines was adopted without prior consultation with relevant stakeholders. In light of these developments, the Federation and the Association are issuing a formal appeal directly to the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime. Their concerns center on the perceived curtailment of journalistic freedom and transparency within the judicial process.
The manner in which these rules were implemented—secretly and without consultation—has fueled the call for immediate reconsideration to ensure that the rights of the press to report on the court remain protected.
Topics: #court #news #special
