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AGSH against the new GJKKO regulation: The ban on telephones for journalists violates media freedom

2026-08-04 20:25:08Aktualitet SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
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The Association of Journalists of Albania (AGSH) has reacted to the new regulation of the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO), which is expected to enter into force on September 1, calling it an unjustified restriction on the work of journalists and the public's right to information.

AGSH expresses concern about the ban on the use of mobile phones by journalists during court hearings, emphasizing that this is the main working tool for real-time reporting, communication with editorial offices, and informing citizens.

According to the association, the telephone ban does not serve the administration of justice, but unjustifiably limits the constitutional right to public information, especially at a time when judicial processes of high public interest are taking place at the GJKKO.

The Journalists Association of Albania urges the GJKKO to postpone the entry into force of the regulation and open a consultation process with media organizations, the journalist community and other interested stakeholders.

According to AGSH, an act with such a major impact on media freedom and the public's right to information should not be adopted without dialogue and transparency. The organization expresses its readiness to contribute with its expertise and recommendations to build a model that simultaneously guarantees the smooth conduct of the judicial process and the freedom of the media to report in a professional and responsible manner.

The full reaction of the Albanian Journalists Association (AGSH):

The Journalists' Association of Albania (AGSH) expresses concern about the new Regulation of the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (SCOC), which is expected to enter into force on September 1 and brings unacceptable restrictions on the practice of the journalistic profession.

Particularly alarming is the ban on the use of mobile phones by journalists during court hearings. We would like to bring to the attention of the GJKKO that a mobile phone is not simply an electronic device, but the basic tool of a journalist's work for real-time reporting, communication with the editorial staff and informing the public.

 Its prohibition does not serve the administration of justice, but unjustifiably restricts the constitutional right to public information, especially in light of the historic trials being held in our country, especially with the Special Court.

Regarding the recording and presence of cameras in court sessions, AGSH recalls that the debate should not be based on general prohibitions, but on the correct implementation of the law and the Guidelines of the High Judicial Council. The comparative report published by AGSH clearly emphasizes that Albania does not need new restrictions, but rather a uniform implementation of existing rules, reasoned decision-making for each request and the use of partial recording instead of complete prohibitions.

Also, the central recommendation of the AGSH is to guarantee the recording of the introductory part of the sessions according to the HLGJ Guidelines, each request to be reviewed individually and any restriction to be proportionate, justified and based on the law.

Under these conditions, AGSH calls on the GJKKO to postpone the entry into force of this regulation and to open a consultation process with the Journalists Association of Albania, the journalist community, media organizations and other interested stakeholders. An act with such a major impact on media freedom and the public's right to be informed cannot be adopted without dialogue and without respecting transparency standards.

AGSH remains ready to contribute with its expertise and the recommendations of the recently published report, in order to build a model that simultaneously guarantees the smooth conduct of the judicial process and the right of the media to inform the public in a free, professional and responsible manner.


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