Prime Minister Edi Rama responded to criticism of media freedom in Albania, claiming that government critics are widely represented in the Albanian media and that Albania stands apart from other countries when it comes to freedom of expression.
Speaking at the Socialist Party’s National Assembly, Rama said 60% of the content produced daily by media outlets was against the government, 30% was neutral and only 10% supported it.
The prime minister dismissed claims that government critics face restrictions, arguing that those who oppose the government enjoy greater freedom in Albania than in other countries.
“There are all these figures and many more. They went so far as to draw a parallel between Belgrade and Tirana, but they’ve got it all backwards. In this country, anyone who takes a stand against us enjoys a degree of freedom you won’t find anywhere else,” Rama said.
He also criticised the way some television channels covered the recent protests, accusing them of glorifying violence and drawing a comparison with media coverage in France, Italy and Germany.
“Night after night, a chorus lined up across TV channels to glorify violence. On television in France, Italy or Germany, there’s no chance you’ll find spokespeople for violence representing the media,” the prime minister said.
Rama said media freedom and the controversy over how the protests were covered would be part of a national debate. He dismissed accusations that the space for critical voices in Albania was shrinking.
The post PM Rama says 60% of media content is against the government, accuses TV channels of glorifying violence and proposes national debate appeared first on Euronews Albania.
