Today the Assembly will adopt the ” anti-defamation packages “, which has been strongly opposed by journalists, activists, analysts and international organizations. Meanwhile, various journalists, activists and analysts, supported by opposition outside parliament, will hold a protest today against this law.
Protests against the anti-defamation package are expected to begin at 09:30, in front of Parliament.
Participants in this protest present their demands for the rejection of the anti-libel package which are:
1.There can be no administrative adjustment regime for online media, but such regimes are acceptable but not mandatory only for audiovisual media;
2.An administrative institution like the AMA cannot substitute courts for reviewing complaints to the content of a publication.
Protesting journalists and activists allege the anti-defamation package does not address fake news and defamation, as the government claims, but is an attempt to seize online media.
With the Anti-Defamation Package the electronic media will be closed by direct order from the AMA if this institution considers that there is a violation.
It is the Electronic and Postal Communications Authority (AKPEP) that closes the portal without a court ruling if the news is not deleted within 60 minutes.
From the person being violated through online writing to the Administrative Court there are two institutions under the AMA, the Appeals Council and the Board.
Online media are forced to publish a refutation, but there are limitations if the complainant has no facts.
This package was initially criticized by the European Council and internationals, who have also found it to be a hindrance to free speech. /abcnews.al
