The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on Monday urged authorities in Albania to further amend a draft law on a new registration system for online media.<\/p>\n
Harlem Desir, the OSCEs media freedom representative, urged the Albanian Parliament to make more amendments to the new legislation, adding that much will also depend on the implementation.<\/p>\n
He stressed that the regulatory agency must be fully independent and free of political interference.<\/p>\n
Last years draft law on online media and the governments threat to impose heavy fines on unregistered electronic media providers were criticized by the OSCE and local media organizations.<\/p>\n
Desire said that the law must not be interpreted as a right of censorship or restriction of freedom of expression.<\/p>\n
The possibility of blocking access to online content will now be limited to three areas, Desir said: child pornography, promotion of terrorist acts and breaches of national security.<\/p>\n
He also has recommended several additional modifications to clarify safeguards to freedom of expression and avoid any risk of undue restrictions or sanctions on electronic media providers.<\/p>\n
Albanias post-communist media outlets have until now generally been used or exploited by the governing political party.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Excerpt from: <\/p>\n
OSCE warns Albania not to block freedom of expression online - The San Diego Union-Tribune<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on Monday urged authorities in Albania to further amend a draft law on a new registration system for online media. Continue reading