Prime Minister Edi Rama has reacted after a statement by the Safe Journalists organization that, according to him, misinterprets his position towards RTSH.
In his reaction, Rama considers the statement a deceptive attempt that distorts the essence of his speech.
“It is becoming an unfortunate pattern of this era of rampant laziness to listen to what others are actually saying,” he writes.
The Prime Minister emphasizes that his remarks have nothing to do with "linking the funding or existence of RTSH to political approval" and calls any such interpretation "inaccurate and misleading."
SafeJournalists statement:
The SafeJournalists Network has expressed concern regarding public statements made by the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, regarding the role, funding and future of the public broadcaster RTSH.
The network warns that linking the funding or even the very existence of RTSH to political approval undermines its independence and poses risks to media freedom.
He emphasizes that public service media should be evaluated through transparent and legally based reforms, and not through political rhetoric, especially in the context of Albania's accession process to the European Union, where media freedom and institutional independence are key standards.
Prime Minister Edi Rama's reaction:
It is becoming an unfortunate pattern of this new era of rampant laziness towards listening to what others are actually saying, that we are faced with statements like the attached one, which reflect a deeply distorted misunderstanding of my position regarding the Albanian Public Broadcaster.
I invite the authors of this misleading statement to read or listen carefully to my speech and make a sincere effort to understand the gist.
My remarks have absolutely nothing to do with “linking the funding or existence of RTSH to political approval.” Any such interpretation is simply incorrect and misleading.
Protecting information starts with not spreading disinformation.