GJKKO regulation, journalists sue in the Constitutional Court: we seek suspension, it is censorship

The Albanian Journalists’ Association (AGSH) has filed a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court against the internal regulation of the Special Anti-Corruption Court (GJKKO), arguing that it directly censors the work of the media and journalists.

AGSH chairman Isa Myzyraj said the lawsuit first seeks the suspension of the regulation and then its annulment as unconstitutional. Among other things, he says the central point of the claim rests on the violation of freedom of expression and the right to information.

“We have filed a request to suspend the GJKKO regulation, and then to declare it unconstitutional. We are convinced that this regulation violates media freedom and the right of journalists to inform the public about what happens inside the GJKKO. A censorship regulation against the media. I express my disappointment with the GJKKO, which despite our calls for dialogue, for a discussion table, has not bothered to contact journalists or to build bridges of communication so that this regulation becomes better for freedom of expression.”

“The appeal must be based on the Constitution of the Republic. The main point we have raised is the violation of freedom of expression and the right to information, which are two of the main pillars of democracy. In our 127-page lawsuit we have detailed all our concerns, including media and citizens’ access to justice. Forms to access a WhatsApp group are absurd and senseless. It is up to the 8 members of the Constitutional Court to decide whether there is a constitutional violation and how far it goes,” said Isa Myzyraj, chairman of AGSH.

The Special Court’s new regulation, which entered into force on September 1, prohibits journalists from being present in court hearings with their mobile phones. Audio recording of hearings is also prohibited, while the presence of cameras remains debatable for each hearing.

During hearings, only those journalists who have completed the accreditation forms will be allowed to take notes with pen and paper — a large part of them have refused and have been excluded from the WhatsApp communication groups.