Self-censorship is rife among Albanian journalists and news editors who fear crossing powerful, politically connected media moguls, a BIRN survey reveals.
Arbjona Cibuku
Elona (not her real name) says that when she worked as a journalist at a television channel in Tirana, the censorship was usually unspoken, the “red lines” implied.
“I knew how editorial policy, interests and censorship worked,” she told BIRN on condition of anonymity. “I made a pact with myself that I would not say everything.”
On two occasions, however, the unspoken, unwritten understanding was made more explicit, when she was told of two stories she wanted to run: “The owner doesn’t want it.”
“It created daily stress, knowing that I had good topics to cover but that I was not given the opportunity.” Elona eventually quit.
Her account was among 31 provided by journalists and news editors at a range of media outlets in Albania via a BIRN survey.
Subscribe to Balkan Insight Premium to read the full article.
Please login to your account below if you are already a Premium Subscriber.
Buy Premium Subscription
Our Premium Service gives you full access to all content published on BalkanInsight.com, including analyses, investigations, comments, interviews and more. Choose your subscription today and get unparalleled in-depth coverage of the Southern and Eastern Europe.
If you have trouble logging in or any other questions regarding you account, please contact us
