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The
principle of the presumption of innocence shall
be respected
April 12.
2007
Some days ago, the premier of the
country, accused the media as related to the
Mafia. This statement was not accompanied with
any concrete or specified data regarding these
charges. AHC considers that the charge is highly
serious and as such, convincing clarifications
should have been provided.
We regretfully confirm that the
same statement was released in the parliamentary
session of April 10, 2007. It is worth
mentioning the fact that even in that occasion
no name, no media and no fact got mentioned. In
his speech, apart from the other things, the
premier communicated, “ The mafia is deeply
penetrating the media”
AHC shares the opinion that such
statements are both hasty and concerning,
because if the situation is alike, in order to
hit this highly social risky activity, not only
the taxation inspectors shall be involved, but
also the specialized bodies in fighting
organized crime.
Under these circumstances, the
impression is created that in this concrete case
we have the conflict government-media, the
latter being critical of the first, when it is
known that the entire government and the public
officials shall be tolerant when in the
respective criticism of the media, there is any
overstatement or inaccuracy. This is conditioned
by the position they have (elected or
appointed), by the responsibility they have to
their citizens. Everyone is equal before the law
and everyone is obliged to apply the law, but
not any type of violation of the law is
considered a crime, not any omission to meet the
legal obligations is considered a mafia-type
activity.
If there is data that the
journalists, the media and its owners are
involved in criminal activity, everyone that is
aware of or possesses evidence about such an
offence, is obliged to denounce it to the
powerful bodies.
Even previously AHC has publicly
pronounced and has appealed for the observance
of the constitutional principle of the
presumption of innocence.
The implementation of this
principle is obligatory not only for the justice
bodies, but also for the public administration.
The European Court of Human Rights and our
Constitutional Court have a strict attitude
about this.
AHC assesses the valuable
contribution of the Albanian media in fulfilling
its own mission to inform the wide public by
being a constructive opposition towards the
state activity. The freedom of press and free
expression are not slogans, but significant
principles sanctioned in our Constitution and
international documents. The practical
implementation of the above principles is an
important assessing element for the integration
of our country in European Union. The role of
the media is irreplaceable in a democratic
society.
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