to the media close to the government and the lack of transparency indistrib to the close government andtheto lackoftransparency the media for state institutions awarding the unfair both ofadvertisements clearly reveals 3 2 Ibid. 1 the against names checked to be ofaninvoice needs description tion, detailed Inaddi spending underentries. thesame make them more difficult toidentify which categories, undervarious butappear advertising, are as notmarked es However, inamoredata format. user-friendly for the invoic used the labels this publishes also Data Albania Open organisation Thenon-governmental ies. thatments gothrough the state state from treasury, bod which are disbursed day, Each ofFinance web theoutlets. page pay onits publishes the Ministry media with ends up is moredownthat andit difficulttotrack themoney fined more re become also the has process to onlinedatabases, searchable, thanks and visible more havebecome distribution ofthe of financial process pects sation ofpubliccampaigns. on the government organi regulations which in line with is owners, media ed funds.”uting these vourable coverage to the government at the time. fa provided media whose to oneperson, byortied owned tions andagencies the end of 2013 on June thattion showed 2012 780,000 and the state at eurobetween spent least were true. ofstate advertising distribution unfair claims about In2013, investigation that proved ofthe anindependent most ceased. never has ofstate advertising distribution andnon-transparent unfair about speculation Nonetheless, communities. orspecific minorities orsupporting pluralism dia with state support and funding of the media, not even in terms of protecting me ofprotecting interms noteven ofthe media, andfunding statewith support been used to advertise in the media or to organise campaigns that have campaigns orto organise benefit inthe media to advertise used been State funding of the media is far from transparent. Although certain as Although certain transparent. from far is State ofthe media funding Londo, “Albania”,Londo, , 2014. Matters inMedia Integrity 2015. Accessed 30 September nian-media-freedom. 2013.- Available http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/big-advertisers-subvert-alba at: freedom,” media Albanian subvert “Bigadvertisers Insight Likmeta, Balkan Albanian legislation does not specify any provisions whatsoever dealing dealing any whatsoever provisions notspecify does legislation Albanian by INTRODUCTION STATE-MEDIA FINANCIAL RELATIONS IN ALBANIA MEDIA PRACTICES NURTURING CLIENT-BASED ILDA LONDO 3 Apart from commercial advertising, public funds have also publicfunds Apart commercial from advertising, TV advertising, with the with bulk of this sum going to TV advertising, 2 “The publication ofsuchdata “The 1 Theinvestiga , 20 December December , 20 sta ------

MEDIA INTEGRITY MATTERS pending on the editorial policy orientation. policy onthe editorial pending de threat, a financial as used policy, or even for in editorial changes reward a as given were consideredto be since advertisements ofstandards, an abuse was this regulation with munity thought advertising the practice ofallocating com the Inthe 2000s media early the ofpublications circulation inAlbania. data on ofthe lackofcertified inview clear less even becomes cate advertising though, what “’large circulation’ing, means.” newspaper, orinonenational andonelocal large defin circulations, without with intwonational that newspapers be published theprovided notifications onExpropriation at andthe the Law the PublicProcurementboth Law time pitfalls: by madeworse the legal Thesituationwas amongthe media. vertising ofstate ad distribution northe fair consequent plementation laws, ofthese the im However, tocurement supervise laws. bodies there were noregulatory the impact. be what will practice, seen anditremains to arecently be is started formally. at least outlet finances, ofmedia However,greater transparency this potential which the centerto a for led availablehas balances, makes online.This the with National Center,istered Registration have also to submitannual will outlets. to media allocated funds trend regardingpublic worrying anincreasingly this is forto advertising, use provider which media including for the deciding transparent, strategy process Since to there make the agencies noobligation private for is these to media. funds some then which reallocate can agencies, toamount advertising given is the spent onadvertising is whether it determine tion where difficultto itis Finally, etc. institutes, ofinforma universities, anotherfoundations, category such as sister companiesthe with sameowners, via butalso companies, media notonlythroughters their more complicated funds that obtain is the media what Apart mat makes incoherent from oftransactions, labelling advertising. for inorder to to ensure media that companies, are allocated theof media funds 5 4 were considered public spending and, as such, were subject to the public prosuch, were and, as subject were considered public spending andnotifications that felladvertisements intocategory the state advertising Until most 2006 few, procedures. orvague been inunclear resulting usually commitment to change the situation, claiming that this practice wouldchange Starting this companies year, reg allbusiness Starting alongwith outlets, the media Albanian Media Institute, Media Media Albanian ownership, independence and pluralism, 2007, p.23. June 2002, p.47. Human Watch, Rights of Violations of Media in Cost Freedom Speech: Albania The , Albania: Efforts to regulate the distribution of state advertising in the media have in the media ofstate to advertising the distribution regulate Efforts 1 With government madeapublic the the in2005, new rotation ofpower AN UNFINISHED STORY STATE ADVERTISING REGULATION: 5 4 The basis for a decision to allo for a decision basis The

------NEVER CEASED. ADVERTISING HAS DISTRIBUTION OF STATE TRANSPARENT UNFAIR AND NON- SPECULATION ABOUT NONETHELESS, SPECIFIC COMMUNITIES. MINORITIES OR OR SUPPORTING MEDIA PLURALISM TERMS OF PROTECTING MEDIA, NOT EVEN IN AND FUNDING OF THE WITH STATE SUPPORT WHATSOEVER DEALING ANY PROVISIONS DOES NOT SPECIFY ALBANIAN LEGISLATION

MEDIA INTEGRITY MATTERS STATE-MEDIA FINANCIAL RELATIONS IN ALBANIA NURTURIN CLIENT-BASED MEDIA PRACTICICES 2 19 the time as an important step towards reducing media dependence onthe gov dependence media reducing steptowards animportant the timeas 10 9 Matlija, 8 7 6 the offer made, any (without including outlet” specification), “the media teria, inreaching adecision. used to be oneofthe criteria as orreaders of viewers sion bythe ofMinisters related Council mentions to state the number advertising instead. ernment decisions inanapparent preferenceused, through gov state for regulating advertising been far so not thatpossibility has a for purpose, this law specific anew to draft tion bythis law, for the ofMinisters parliament orCouncil was the possibility time.”broadcasting for contracts well as as inprint media, published operators orto be evision byradioandtel broadcast to be oradvertisement ofprograms co-production law, production, exclusion include “purchase, whose development, criteria However, exempt is inthe media ofstate the this regulation from advertising state from authorities. andservices goods for procuring the rules determines which onPublicProcurement, the is Law legislation the respective ernment, as publicnotices. state were notclassified companies andnot-for-profit by the andsupported organisationsestablished tion. According to the government’s for state-owned advertisements decision, for notentirely interpreta room andleft andnotices was clear state advertising between for instance, Thedistinction, ofstate regulation advertising. proper ment notice to the dissipate publication, failing alldoubtabout sufficient and of govern However, aspects ernment. on certain still unclear was the decision Notices. publish them intheofOfficial instead Bulletin and andnotices to the media to government advertising stop allocating cided the In2006, government de ofstate inthe advertising. sive practices allocation aiming to stop abu from state advertising, wouldnolongerbenefit and media after a while the government also resumed advertising in the media. A2007 deci inthe media. advertising resumed a whilethe governmentafter also Onthe contrary, hazier,public announcements. were madeeven the criteria and of onstate funding to applied decisions the criteria which didnothelp to clarify of Ministers’ decisions seem to have very broad and vague definitions of cri the broad and vague to have seem very of Ministers’ decisions Thetwo latter Council filters. attempts selection some but itat to least impose lacking, ranking are media on when data observe clearly difficultto was criterion from state administration bodies inthe media,” statefrom administration bodies 2007. 29September No.6223, andspots VKM ofadvertising “On procurement ofproductions/broadcasting , 2014.practices Law No.9643,Law “On publicprocurement,” 2006. November 20 Notifications,” 29March2006. No.176, ofMinisters’ Decision Council “On the ofPublic Publication ofBulletin “Albania”,Londo, inTelevision Follow-up. Europe: 2008 across Reports As a result, the government reached new decisions onthis matter, decisions new the government reached aresult, As butones Furthermore, bythe gov to publicfunding sincebelongs state advertising Public procurement of advertisement and publicity inEuropean Albania, campaigns Public procurement ofadvertisement 8 Once this area had been deemed inappropriate for regula deemed Once hadbeen this area 9

7 6 The move was hailed at hailed was Themove 10 This This ------

MEDIA INTEGRITY MATTERS STATE-MEDIA FINANCIAL RELATIONS IN ALBANIA NURTURIN CLIENT-BASED MEDIA PRACTICICES 3 19 been added to the list of bodies that can obtain state funds: “specialised agen “specialised that state obtain funds: can to the ofbodies list added been has way.more selective category anew For outlets, example, media from apart transparent inaless and for state advertising authoritiestoit easier distribute that there have rules are made certain ofstateon the advertising, distribution years “media outlets have claimed that have outlets claimed the “media invitations wereyears sent only to select overthe Infact, ofstate advertising. distribution forgreater potential selective even though this is usually one of the basic requirements. requirements. oneofthe basic usually though this is even 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 one day the before deadline.” only published on the but were web not published site, or media had been ed state from advertisement.”information ofpublicfunds onthe use to ofpublic leading absence ofprocedures, significantly the transparency ered low change has “This ofPublicProcurement. onlineat thepublished Agency withbe along sending the practice of theto dossier removed, been offers has More specifically,quirements. the obligation candidates’to publishonline the officials. orparty-appointed ofrotations ofpower independent to be that are supposed meaning they employees, enjoy thewho often status ofcivil ofthe to institution, circumvent members the important twoofthe body most directorates of body,that andfinancial ofthe legal of heads directors allowing to have the nolongerobligatory itis to state bodies, tendereach pertaining the offers inthe ofcommissions that, composition to is tisement for evaluate parent manner.” andnon-trans selective ina broadcasters, private specific by subcontracting which then manage public funds to go to of the agencies, funds part substantial to a led “Inpractice this has requirements. criteria ortechnical transparency any without further outlets, the them sumsto to media allowing redistribute cies”, and from state advertising, to benefit also agencies enabling advertising transparency.”scuring the paving and wayob for abuses backwards, moved it has in essence ment, duration, and the broadcasting events. this problem, but have even removed some of the previous transparency re transparency ofthe some previous this problem, removed buthave even solve to havefailed rules current notonly The the statedistributing advertising.

Ibid.

Matlija, Matlija, Ibid. Ibid. In fact, although the latter decision “has marked some technical improve technical some marked although the “has latter decision In fact, Londo, “Albania”,Londo, , 2014. Matters inMedia Integrity , 2014.practices No.1173,VKM 2009. 6November No.1195,VKM 5August 2008. Another problem posed by the current decision that state regulates adver bythe current decision Another problem posed In addition, a major problem has been that of transparency inthe of process that oftransparency been In addition,amajor problem has 12 These two decisions omit the criterion of the outlet’s omit criterion the twodecisions These audience reach, Public procurement of advertisement and publicity inEuropean Albania, campaigns Public procurement ofadvertisement 14

13 According ofthe current regulation analysis to alegal 17 11 as well as the experience in organising similar the well experience similar inorganising as as 16 This leads to leads This 15

------STATE ADVERTISING. DISTRIBUTING THE THE PROCESS OF TRANSPARENCY IN HAS BEEN THAT OF A MAJOR PROBLEM

MEDIA INTEGRITY MATTERS STATE-MEDIA FINANCIAL RELATIONS IN ALBANIA NURTURIN CLIENT-BASED MEDIA PRACTICICES 4 19 19 18 Frangaj, ofTV the owner to have gonetoseems TV June 2012 andthe endof2013between onTV ofFinance show inthe that Ministry 780,000 thebase state at euro spent least data ment Minister. department andPrime the from treasury collected “Data the govern favouredcompanies that the media supported had significantly at the published endof2013 that showed the government former tive reports scene.” media cern inthe Albanian a continuous source been ofcon has “the distributed is way state advertising Infact, funds. state advertising in distributing methods selective toments use to acontext led for has govern inwhicheasier itis outlets, ofmedia ularity marketrelating figures pop share about and to media the lack oftransparency ofstatethe advertising. distribution to Hence, continuesame regulation. important itis the monitoring trends in the using distributed are for being statemeanwhile, advertising publicfunds legislation; nor to new issue on stateto amend the advertising, existing rules However,dia. inpower, twoyears after madenoattempt the government has to me ofstate advertising allocation andnon-transparent that toes unfair led 20 the Socialist Party, included among its objectives the termination Party, ofpractic objectives the amongits Socialist included Ibid.

Table 1 The lack of clear, equitable rules regarding state advertising, along withlack The of along the clear, stateregarding rules advertising, equitable 1.1 vial a: http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/big­-advertisers at: Available freedom,” media Albanian subvert “Bigadvertisers Insight Likmeta, Balkan freedom. Accessed 30 September 2015. Accessed 30 September freedom. ­- ­-media http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/big-advertisers-subvert-albanian at: Available 2015. Accessed 30 September freedom. 20 December 2013. 20 December freedom,” media Albanian subvert “Bigadvertisers Insight Source: Likmeta, Balkan in2012 andlaterPublic denouncements bythe investiga then opposition With by another in2013, yet rotation led ofpower the current government, POLICE DIRECTORATE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MUNICIPALITIES RUN BY DP MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & MINISTRY OF JUSTICE MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS NATIONAL DRUG CENTRE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE STATE INSTITUTION TRENDS IN DISTRIBUTION OF STATE ADVERTISING DISTRIBUTION OF STATE ADVERTISING TO ONE MEDIA GROUP (2010–2013) 20

Klan stations and agencies owned by or tied to Aleksandër to Aleksandër byortied owned stations andagencies andother companies.” 18 advertising. Thebulkof sum this advertising. PROMO MEDIA 66 ABC NEWS MEDIA 6 PROMO PROMO PROMO ZOOM EVENTS COMPANY 19

­- ­-subvert-albanian-media ­ De 20 ,­ 2013. ­ 2013. ­cem­ber AMOUNT (EUR) 1.400.000 , 300,000 284,000 10,000 19,800 26,000 71,000 27,000 ------ADVERTISING FUNDS. IN DISTRIBUTING STATE SELECTIVE METHODS GOVERNMENTS TO USE WHICH IT IS EASIER FOR LED TO A CONTEXT IN OF MEDIA OUTLETS, HAS AND THE POPULARITY MEDIA MARKET SHARE FIGURES RELATING TO TRANSPARENCY ABOUT WITH THE LACK OF ADVERTISING, ALONG REGARDING STATE EQUITABLE RULES THE LACK OF CLEAR,

MEDIA INTEGRITY MATTERS STATE-MEDIA FINANCIAL RELATIONS IN ALBANIA NURTURIN CLIENT-BASED MEDIA PRACTICICES 5 19 ing awarded to media outlets might be even higher. even might be outlets toing awarded media that which means the amount inthe ofadvertis monitoring, included not been have state bodies independent Other the mandate ofthe Treasury Department. institutions budget that from within onlytransactions fall included monitoring Finally, andother cultural activities. summerfestivals the e.g. events, well as as companies to produce media contentas documentaries, to such specific ed grant Inaddition,the include sumsawarded those ofinvoices. the descriptions and theof beneficiaries with names cross-checking categories, all these sidered or“othervices” transfers”. For ofthis study, the purpose the con monitoring andpublications”,“professional books “other as whileothers are described ser of theare “printing transactions entered andpublishingservices”, as others as some So, inconsistent. is oftransactions that is the description Department orrelated transfers inmonitoring companies the to from culty Treasury media Another diffi such companies. own whoalso owners to the media public funds another way ofawarding been since this has etc, publicevents, of campaigns, but that the with organisation deal thatpanies are owners, related to media considered com also has transactions In addition, the of treasury monitoring in the newspaper. notifications orpublications ofadvertising as were described companies of these since transactions some of companies, or other kinds cies, agen foundations, such as media, with deal thatowners donotnecessarily byorrelated to media companies owned butalso andcompanies, groups dia ofFinance companies 2012, 2013 inthe years and2014. media with the Ministry the at made monitored by the transactions Treasury has search Department re further For this purpose, outlets. media ly to ofsome the independence to andconsequent sustainability revenues ofthese the sensitivity given cially continuous monitoring of trends in the distribution of state advertising, espe continuous ofstate oftrends inthe monitoring advertising, distribution for have to point the need not changed, ofadvertising for distribution rules In order to be as realistic as possible, the considerednotonlyme study has possible, as realistic as In order to be The evidence for such worrying practices, coupled with the fact withfact that the the coupled practices, evidence for such worrying The ------

MEDIA INTEGRITY MATTERS STATE-MEDIA FINANCIAL RELATIONS IN ALBANIA NURTURIN CLIENT-BASED MEDIA PRACTICICES 6 19 21 in2014 arrears paid that comprised the offunds itseems majority outlets, dia forme some Infact, to delay paymenttions orstate for bodies advertising. months much six earlier,as as to institu atrend which among certain points made are payments for services the from treasury. Inotherthe cases, request andapprove that to register means the delay onlydueto is the timeneeded year, place inthedays took final of the previous cation innewspapers which for newspapers. especially important, nevertheless is market, for revenue the media of the advertising portion stituting asignificant show, whilenotcon other that reports research as state itseems advertising, Infact, media. electronic own also whileonlyafew that newspapers, daily own are ofstatethe ones advertising major beneficiaries as appearing groups media that is noticed 111. the main be oftransfers, What also number the can highest company the is media that received has Shqiptarja.com share the sameowners. are the Panorama amountceived largest andFocus of funds Group, which 23 22 made to these companies. As can be seen, the twocompanies that seen, have be re can As companies. made to these oftransfers andin terms the state received in 2014, of funding in terms both some cases the that delay due only to the fact the inpayment publi seems cases some in2012. In even cases, in2013, isolated awarded orinafew been had instead ofthe completed that in2014 transactions part evident also itis Department,

( 1 Chart publication ofnotifications in the Mapo to Ekonomike awarded Fondacioni for Mapo” Liri include funds also për “Media entries , “Albania”,IREX inMedia Sustainability 2014. Index, since are the the owners same. andFocus groups, Press News Focus Media Open Data Albania. Available at: http://spending.data.al/. Accessed September–October 2015. AccessedSeptember–October Available http://spending.data.al/. Albania. Data at: Open The above chart shows the main media groups that received funding from funding groups that received shows the mainmedia chart The above 2014). December (3January–15 Treasury from Source: Data Department Moreover, the ofthefrom Treasury entries inspection closer upon MEDIA MAPO PUBLIKIME SHQIPTARE PANORAMA SHQIP ORA SHQIPTARJA.COM KOHA JONË FOCUS GROUP STANDARD TOTAL AMOUNT, TRANSACTIONS FROM THE STATE BUDGET IN 2014 NUMBER OF TRANSACTONS)

2

11

20 newspaper. Focus Group include both entries

38

52 21

68 23

78

87 22

111 - - - - -

MEDIA INTEGRITY MATTERS STATE-MEDIA FINANCIAL RELATIONS IN ALBANIA NURTURIN CLIENT-BASED MEDIA PRACTICICES 7 19 25 24 twoofthem considered newspapers, publishdaily groups Shqiptare. Allthree by byPublikime Panorama Group and also the beneficiary, followed greatest be to seems 2014. in Shqiptarja.com specifically awarded funds sider onlythose onlyin2014.that funds were these awarded separately,for examined 2014 be should also companies consideringthe media that Inaddition,this means funds the state advertising experiencing. have been delay thepayments significant given in thatsome newspapers, especially nies, ing in 2014, divided into funds and arrears, is presented inthe chart: presented following is andarrears, intoing in2014, funds divided state of advertis ly, Thetrendbeneficiaries among the major arrears. are also in2014 paid percent to Focus offunds Group andPanorama Group, respective Mapo’sMedia in2014 2013, from were funds arrears while67 percent and62 in 2013. percent In provided addition, 77 of are chargesthe for funds services 2013.from newspaper, More ofStandard specifically,case in the 93 percent of

Chart 3 Chart ( 2 Chart Open Data Albania. Available at: http://spending.data.al/. Accessed September–October 2015. AccessedSeptember–October Available http://spending.data.al/. Albania. Data at: Open Open Data Albania. Available at: http://spending.data.al/. Accessed September–October 2015. AccessedSeptember–October Available http://spending.data.al/. Albania. Data at: Open As the chart shows, the picture of state advertising funds changes ifwecon changes the funds picture ofstate advertising shows, the chart As 2014). December (3January–15 Treasury from Source: Data Department This trend highlights questions about the sustainability of media compa ofmedia the sustainability questions about trendThis highlights 2014). December (3January–15 Treasury from Source: Data Department STANDARD MEDIA MAPO SHQIP KOHA JONË FOCUS GROUP ORA PUBLIKIME SHQIPTARE PANORAMA SHQIPTARJA.COM KOHA JONË SHQIP ORA PUBLIKIME SHQIPTARE STANDARD MEDIA MAPO SHQIPTARJA.COM FOCUS GROUP PANORAMA AWARDED IN 2014, IN AWARDED FUNDS AWARDED ONLY IN 2014 FUNDS PAID IN 2014, INCLUDING 2013 ARREARS 2013ARREARS)

24 25

- - - - REMAIN THE SAME. CRITERIA OFFICIALLY CHANGED, AND THE SUCH FUNDS HAVE NOT RULES FOR AWARDING DISTRIBUTED, THE ADVERTISING IS THE WAY STATE DECISION TO CHANGE CAMPAIGN THE PROGRAMME AND INCLUDED IN ITS GOVERNMENT WHILE THE CURRENT

MEDIA INTEGRITY MATTERS STATE-MEDIA FINANCIAL RELATIONS IN ALBANIA NURTURIN CLIENT-BASED MEDIA PRACTICICES 8 19 although important on the media scene, do not appear to be still receiving in stillreceiving to be scene, donotappear onthe media although important Meanwhile, for other the groups, government. ofwhich showmost support vouring one group is clear. is onegroup vouring even moresowhen thatconsidering is This Top that the companies trend organise, fa these towards orcultural events jects pro any butalso artistic that not onlystate includes clear advertising this fund to be Whileitneeds 2015, groups. amongmedia ofOctober as the state funds form the2013.) firsthalfof in2012 and dominated this list although they transactions, 2014 state treasury of Frangaj byAleksandër on the of beneficiaries list appear companies owned (For2012-2013, government term. including the previous example, noneofthe considerably in whilehaving benefited the years come state from advertising, , in2014,tising Shqiptarja.com such as ofstate adver beneficiaries rising are the outlets new media Other Groups. as Panorama and such remain relatively nies constantFocus intheir benefits, show compa that transactions ofthe some media treasury from data In fact, remain officially thesame. have andthe criteria ing such notchanged, funds for award the rules to change distributed, the is way statedecision advertising ence inthe country. independ aconstant concern market andmedia for the been media has policy to monitor, in accordance of state since advertising distribution editorial with Minister, the current Prime supporting oras left-wing to be which atrend is 27 26 station Top So, more than groups others. media including the national radio Media,

Chart 4 Chart While the current government included in its programme and campaign the andcampaign programme inits While the current government included Open Data Albania. Available at: http://spending.data.al/. Accessed September–October 2015. AccessedSeptember–October Available http://spending.data.al/. Albania. Data at: Open in2014 year. state 10 from compared advertising more toreceived funding times the previous , has For Dita example, the newspaper Shqiptare, which daily the publishes Publikime group The data from 2015 further confirm the tendency to heavily heavily from2015favour to data certain The further theconfirm tendency 2015). (3January–October Treasury from Source: Data Department 55 NEWSPAPER MAPO GROUP KOHA JONE NEWSPAPER PUBLIKIME SHQIPTARE BOLLINO GROUP MEDIA VISION TOP MEDIA SOT NEWSPAPER STANDARD NEWSPAPER KLAN GROUP PANORAMA & FOCUS GROUP Digitalb Top Albania Top andthe national television plat Channel, the digital STATE FUNDS TO MEDIA GROUPS IN 2015 , have been granted almost half almost Shqip granted , have been , andthe newspaper daily 1% 1% 2% 2% 3% 4% 5% 6% 12% 15% Publikime Shqiptare, 27

26

Ora andShqip, 46% ------

MEDIA INTEGRITY MATTERS STATE-MEDIA FINANCIAL RELATIONS IN ALBANIA NURTURIN CLIENT-BASED MEDIA PRACTICICES 9 19 Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, andSocial offavour Minister ofLabour case aclear thus alleging had the exact bythe ofacompany address brother Veliaj, ofErion owned then 30 29 28 on20 Party the apublication from the Democratic latest onebeing er cases, have allegations ing onecompany with These continued oth overthe others. ria. crite the technical onlythat andwhich didnotmeet year established that was Communication, acompany to EAG given was forcor this visit arrangements Party,Democratic astatement claimingthat issued the tender to make the dé the after party, Thus, Pope’s the mainopposition owners. dia visit to Albania, to to companies me close ofpublicfunds related distribution to unfair cases dubious to new pointed to the close opposition onlinemedia sition andsome all companies. 55,800 euro out of a total of 780,000 to euro given a small percentage of funds: Frangaj, only Aleksandër companies have that clear it is obtained media these to byorclose to companies owned ofpublicfunds ondistribution gative report andTV bythe Shqiptarja.com daily obtained infunds considerable increase now that inpower. heis a Similarly, there also is years, compared to previous andalso inopposition was for party himwhenhis support provided has group the Minister. with current Prime associated closely been always The has Media such public events and campaigns. So, if we take into ifwetake So, account the 2013 andcampaigns. investi such publicevents upthe companies that set they organise as topublicfunds, obtain outlets media a become convenient for method also has This andpublicevents. campaigns for the organisation offunds of ondistribution which the expanded regulation regulation), onstate advertising inthe wementioned section (as in the media considered to policy. favour the current government intheir editorial been money to companies in a dubious manner seems to persist. In2014 the oppo to persist. to mannerseems companies inadubious money , owned and directed by Carlo Bollino, by Carlo anddirected , owned Report

30 in-e-dekorit-te-qytetit394-milione-leke-me-prokurim-te-drejtperdrejte/. gazetatema.net/web/2014/11/01/vizita-e-papa-franceskut-pd-akuza-qeverise-per-tender eshte kthyer thashethemesh,” neklub Opozita 2014. 1November Available http://www. at: Tema,Gazeta “ Accessed 17 2015. September 2015. Accessed 30 September nian-media-freedom. 2013.- Available http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/big-advertisers-subvert-alba at: freedom,” media Albanian subvert “Bigadvertisers Insight Likmeta, Balkan channel. andanall-news onlineedition andits newspaper ofadaily sisting con group, - another media to fund later He sold. then proceeded which was inAlbania, 90s in the group media Edisud and managed who founded an Italian is journalist, Bollino Carlo In 2009, the government issued a new decision related to state decision advertising anew theIn 2009, government issued 1.2 While the amount of funds might not be as high, the practice of giving out the high, practice ofgiving as mightWhile the notbe amount offunds ANOTHER FORM OF MEDIA SUPPORT ORGANISING PUBLIC EVENTS WITH PUBLIC FUNDS: Moreover, the statement that claimed the company that wonthe tender 29

PD : Qeveria abuzoi me tenderin e dekorit per viziten e Papes/ Kryeministria: Kryeministria: ePapes/ viziten e dekorit metenderin per abuzoi : Qeveria 28 two media outlets that outlets have also two media , 20 December December , 20

A1 ------

MEDIA INTEGRITY MATTERS STATE-MEDIA FINANCIAL RELATIONS IN ALBANIA NURTURIN CLIENT-BASED MEDIA PRACTICICES 10 19 34 33 35 Department, Spazio Eventi the company Spazio incharge Albania, ofthe reconstruc Department, 32 31 that ofthe this owner founded Fondacioni inmemory Hoxha, lished Dritan ofCulture. For the Ministry cially example, Top estab also has group Media and another 948,000 ALL(approx. 6,800euro) in2015. in the amount of2,344,800ALL(approx.tion, benefited 16,748 euro) in2014 and influence on rule the country. shelter, Minister’s Prime hehadonformer onthe criticism butrather focused ofthetions madeinFacebook the Minister about opening bythe Prime former Bollino. ofCarlo partner business aregular the bunker hadbeen structured that the from fact oneofthewell mainshareholders as inthe company that re ofCulture, as ofthe Ministry inthe procedures thefrom lackoftransparency Thestemmed claims outlets. media several whoowns to Bollino, Carlo tied was thatclaimed the company the the tender shelter given to that reconstruct was to the publicanuclear shelter builtbythe communist Theweb site regime. 2014, InNovember the to government opened the government. opposition its webfor site known byanews brought forward was them.ated with Such acase on this ministry.pendent “fixed” a tender had allegedly to the same company de by one of the agencies 2014, overacomplaint to the Minister of Labour,December addressed which 54,358,986 ALL(approx. 388,278 euro)in2014. to this companythe amount benefited of the has from Treasury Department, reputation. According its to ruin to data for trying Party the Democratic sued relatives ofhimself orhis this company, with part company whileEAG has from the Agency for Support of Civil Society or from other ministries, espe other orfrom ministries, Society ofCivil for Support thefrom Agency either are funds application mainly tenders, throughavailable project These oftheir activity. part the work as offoundations or institutes established Bollino reacted by issuing astatement byissuing that reacted the allega directly didnotaddress Bollino

tenderi-luksoz/. Accessed 20 September 2015. September Accessed 20 tenderi-luksoz/. 2014. Available http://www.pol-al.com/bunkart-bolino-dhe-detajet-e-panjohura-te-nje- at: e(pa)njohura të një luksoz,” dhedetajet tenderi “Bunk’art, Bolino Hasani, November , 24 POL Accessed September–October 2015. Accessed September–October http://shqiptarja.com/analiza/2709/un--doktori-dhe-frika-nga-historia-254811.html. http://shqiptarja.com/analiza/2709/un--doktori-dhe-frika-nga-historia-254811.html. historia,” nga “Unë, dhefrika Doktori Bollino, 2014., 25November Available Shqiptarja.com at: See http://spending.data.al/. Accessed September–October 2015. Accessed September–October http://spending.data.al/. See 2015. Accessed 5October tyroi--specialisten-te-firmoste-tenderin-261118.html. Accessed 3 October 2015. October 3 Accessed tyroi--specialisten-te-firmoste-tenderin-261118.html. 2014.- AvailableDecember http://shqiptarja.com/politike/2732/pd-veliaj-favorizoi-eag-de at: “ Shqiptarja.com, EAGCOMMUNICATION­ http://spending.data.al/sq/treasury/list/year/2014/perf_id/%22 See Similarly, media groups have been able to obtain public funds throughSimilarly, able to publicfunds obtain have groups been media oraffili owners bymedia to owned companies pertain The samepractices PD : Veliaj tëtenderin,” firmoste specialisten , detyroi EAG favorizoi 20 31 Minister Veliaj any involvement denied has on the 34 According to the from data Treasury 32 35

%22. 33 ------

OF THEIR ACTIVITY. ESTABLISHED AS PART OR INSTITUTES OF FOUNDATIONS THROUGH THE WORK OBTAIN PUBLIC FUNDS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MEDIA GROUPS

MEDIA INTEGRITY MATTERS STATE-MEDIA FINANCIAL RELATIONS IN ALBANIA NURTURIN CLIENT-BASED MEDIA PRACTICICES 11 19 Tirana Center,) founded. institution ofthe italso academic which part is (Foundation for UET Economic Freedom) andQendra 41 40 39 38 37 36 sustainability. TV forcates that local sources ofadvertising went to the national TV andleading try 94 for TV percent market, 2013 ofadvertising advertising at estimates for the Looking the andother capital regions. a huge gap between situation inthe country, the mirrors social where landscape there the is media Inthis respect, media. market for ofthe local advertising the poverty sidering even more concern is of con This inthe districts. to themunicipalities media by distributed inadvertising especially lies supporters andtheir financial media stillto extent is some the platforms have compared aprivilege to other media. this publicevents, to organise obtained are also andfunds encrypted, might be notallcontent Whereas public through produced their platform subscription. to produce content publicfunds the platforms use then sell to which they the of content sideofsuch the questionable, since apractice is ethical production, in the case especially to eligible apply platforms to these for be lows projects, group. media movies, as well as organisation or festivals. well of cultural fairs as as movies, the country, or that ofdocumentaries involve apply for production projects platforms in the twomaindigital own which also groups, addition, twomedia might be at least five media outlets in that outlets municipality.” fivemedia atmight least be are inonlyoneTV spent funds the advertising funds. advertising outlet to their disburse media exclusive local relationship one particular with Ibid.

Londo, Londo,

Another source ofconcern the involvingclient potential relations between 1.3 net/radar/flash-report-6-albania. Accessed 7 October 2015. October 7 Accessed net/radar/flash-report-6-albania. 2012–2013. euro inthe period Tring 2014, 2012–2013, and 209,387 organisation. mainly for Similarly, festival euro in the period 2015. September–October Accessed http://spending.data.al/. in 2014,2012-2013. and40,000 See eurointhe period The from the state budget approx.Foundation 8,570 obtained euro2015, in euro 40,328 Albanian Media Institute, State and Private Advertisement in Albanian Media, 2014. Institute, Media, State Media inAlbanian Advertisement Albanian andPrivate text. Similarly, Vizion which Plus TV owns Mediavizion, inthe in2015, samecon year - project andanother eurothe 21,428 previous ie production Digitalb foundations/ these institutes approximately haveCombined, received 17,307 euro. A 2014 survey revealed that local municipalities preferred to preferred have municipalities that an almost local revealed A 2014 survey LOCAL MEDIA: STRUGGLING FOR SURVIVAL TV Flash Report 6:Albania Report , 13 2015. February Flash Available http://mediaobservatory. at: , the platform owned byTop, the platform owned Albafilm for amov 26,000eurofrom obtained Media, , owned by the same owners as Mediavizion, obtained 3,428 euroin2014 3,428 and19,278 obtained Mediavizion, as bythe sameowners , owned 36 39 Media Mapo has established Fondacioni per Liri Ekonomike Fondacioni Liri established per has Mapo Media 40 “Data from the state treasury indicate that in most cases indicate that cases inmost the from “Data state treasury stations based inTirana, stations based which indi stations can hardly be said to offer hardly stations be can or radio station, even ifthere orradiostation, even , obtained, approx. euroin 9,296 , obtained, (European University stations inthe coun 41 The support might Thesupport 38 While the law al 37 In - - - - - FOR LOCAL MEDIA. ADVERTISING MARKET POVERTY OF THE CONSIDERING THE EVEN MORE CONCERN DISTRICTS. THIS IS OF THE MEDIA IN THE MUNICIPALITIES TO DISTRIBUTED BY IN ADVERTISING LIES ESPECIALLY SUPPORTERS THEIR FINANCIAL THE MEDIA AND RELATIONS BETWEEN POTENTIAL CLIENT CONCERN INVOLVING ANOTHER SOURCE OF

MEDIA INTEGRITY MATTERS STATE-MEDIA FINANCIAL RELATIONS IN ALBANIA NURTURIN CLIENT-BASED MEDIA PRACTICICES 12 19 grave problems with transparency of the whole process of allocating advertis oftheallocating wholeprocess grave problems transparency with there are Infact, funds. advertising distribute onhowthey criteria published donot “Theclear and have municipalities bydifferentconfirmed stakeholders. 44 43 42 andUnlimited Communications, cent Spot Production, ofthe Spot shares inLe this Inturn, company 100 owns bytwo natural per persons. Group, owned is thatLe Spot of case The most exemplary andtenders. bility for publiccalls to for circumvent orlimitation ofeligi iteasier anycriteria makes legal edly twodifferent which suppos under tablish atthe sameumbrella, least agencies ontheir own. outlets biggercompared to bymedia thatusually obtained is their share ofpublicfunds large activities, in these involved are also agencies age amedium.”as your profile losing even when itmeans favours, any to financial refuse position each face day,media fundinglocal the situation that with difficult are inno they “Given media. inlocal information appearing from or might important prevent TV onlocal cast government andbroad bythe thatlocal andinformation pieces areries funded indicates to This that stocommission thereis a tendency clear municipalities. by the commissioned stories orspecific payment for as services ten described funds.” these inreceiving factors relations the with mayorgood from or other arethe staff municipality the key However,ing funds. affiliations andwhether you that clear are in it is political payment. andrarely subscription state as institutions, local from ornotifications orotherthe come inthemunicipality ofadvertising form and in this respect should reasonably be considered as part of the whole pack part considered as be should reasonably and in this respect for publicawareness, raising support rely onmedia heavily other events these of most the time promotions Nonetheless, for the government. and specific publicawareness campaigns, for the butalso organisation offairs, advertising, in of is notjust the form This above. mentioned itwas as publicfunds, obtain

Ibid. In addition, the funds that local governments allocate to local media are of media to allocate local governments thatIn addition, the local funds In addition, some of the main agencies obtaining public funds seem to es seem publicfunds obtaining oftheIn addition,some mainagencies The current rules on advertising distribution allow advertising agencies to agencies allowadvertising distribution on advertising rules currentThe 1.4 net/radar/flash-report-6-albania. Accessed 7 October 2015. October 7 Accessed net/radar/flash-report-6-albania. Londo, 2015. January Club, See Media ofthe Shkëlqim Albanian with head Bylykbashi, Interview 4,643 euroin2012–2013. 914 ofKorca institutions obtained inthe euroin2015, district local 2,932 euroin2014, and Korca bymany , which through subscription Gazeta hereis the weekly case visible The most THE MURKY CASE OF ADVERTISING AGENCIES the relation of state funding to media. In fact, since advertising since advertising Infact, the relation to ofstate media. funding vis-à-vis Flash Report 6:Albania Report , 13 2015. February Flash Available http://mediaobservatory. at: 44

stations as journalistic pieces, which might distort the which reality might distort pieces, journalistic stations as 43

42 This trend is also trendis also This ------CALLS AND TENDERS. ELIGIBILITY FOR PUBLIC OR LIMITATION OF LEGAL CRITERIA FOR CIRCUMVENT ANY MAKES IT EASIER TO WHICH SUPPOSEDLY SAME UMBRELLA, AGENCIES UNDER THE LEAST TWO DIFFERENT TO ESTABLISH AT PUBLIC FUNDS SEEM AGENCIES OBTAINING SOME OF THE MAIN

MEDIA INTEGRITY MATTERS STATE-MEDIA FINANCIAL RELATIONS IN ALBANIA NURTURIN CLIENT-BASED MEDIA PRACTICICES 13 19 49 48 47 46 45 persistent to to belong the past, seems Whilethis episode evasion. of tax onDigitalb fine imposed thatwas of the case not. Perhaps notorious sometimes the most and ing infines inrespect. this view gainamore difficultto is concise it to media, publicfunds for allocating ontheir criteria agencies these from ency do notconsider onpopularity.” data relations ofclient work and andpersonal onthe basis um andlarge enterprises the relation longas lasts.”live as why many isreason the of This them are cific relations. short-lived, hence they onspe orworkbased that believe many are “I ofstarted the agencies filiations. of preferential inrelation af agencies treatment to their ofadvertising political constant allegations been There totallyopaque. have is also to media lic funds the outmore samerangeofactivities. orless allcarrying Media, and 215, 249 euro in2015. approximatelycompanies obtained the euro from state in 2014 240,924 budget to other agencies that did not receive funds ordidnotexistto that at other allearlier. agencies didnotreceivefunds way the in2013, have rotation ofpower giving they nowcompletely disappeared, before period in funds the significant received agencies whilesome that, suggest Minister has been used for more than ten years in Albania, sometimes result sometimes for more than inAlbania, ten years used been Minister has unfavourable outletafter coverage of media the government orPrime specific police to a authorities tax sending of favourabletactic The to the government. that have at media those notbeen selectively targeted have outlets been media of pub on the redistribution their decisions including the media, other bodies, to funds allocate onhowthey requirements any transparency notimpose does confirmed by the media community: community: by the media confirmed that agencies managemedi “Advertising also is agencies mainly client advertising from nature offunds ofthe distribution

Hyka, “A MonitorHyka, , 9August Revista 2015. imire neShqiperi?” nje biznes janeportalet National Center, Registration ofownership. extracts data.al/. Accessed September–October 2015. Accessed September–October data.al/. http://spending. See 470,000 companies. various through its eurointhe next twoyears, almost whilereceiving inthe any2012–2013 didnotobtain group funds period, Spot Le 57,495 obtained ment, euroin2012–2013, Meanwhile, andnothing inthe next twoyears. - govern to the close previous allegedly oneofthe agencies Communications, Landmark Monitor, qtd. Garo, inRevista A. “Tregu publicitare,” iagjencive kaotik 4June 2012. 2015. Accessed September–October http://spending.data.al/. See In general, attempts to verify information about and the transparency of information andthe about transparency In general,attempts to verify 2 Furthermore, since are companies private these and the government decision THE STATE RELATIONS BETWEEN MEDIA BUSINESSES AND in2007, inthe amount of12millioneuroongrounds 46 47 In fact, some data from state budget spending state from spending data budget some Infact, 49 However, ofthe lackoftranspar inview 45 Intotal,the 48 The The ------POLITICAL AFFILIATIONS. IN RELATION TO THEIR ADVERTISING AGENCIES TREATMENT OF OF PREFERENTIAL CONSTANT ALLEGATIONS THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN

MEDIA INTEGRITY MATTERS STATE-MEDIA FINANCIAL RELATIONS IN ALBANIA NURTURIN CLIENT-BASED MEDIA PRACTICICES 14 19 58 57 Ibid. 56 part ofthe time. part for paid only the at contributions paid allorhave either have been notbeen 62 have delays months. ofupto six whilethe other payments, only10 are insalary stations, punctual 72 television where 63 outof71 delays ofthem experience significant indisbursement ofsal of self-censorship. nothelp that interms does whichatendency is their relations journalists, with regulate aloneinhowthey businesses to leave the to media atendency lead 55 54 53 52 Ibid. 51 50 ofexpression.”sure onfreedom pres coverage, presenting itas might faceinmedia they ofthe backlash afraid are Insurance they Institution as care, northe Social Inspectorate, the Labour cern: “We Neither are to invisible the rights. institutions that labour with deal outlets.” than media aconstant the oneis wage real problemAlbanian across the ofalower declaration tions are butonlyfor paid, minimalsalary. Infact, aries. the dates ofpayment. onlyfour ofthem respect 23 newspapers, daily teriorate inthe country. outof are ubiquitous: inthe Delays payment ofsalaries to debts the owners’ state. media to overlook atendency well as as dia, to enforce relations themostly of result a lack of willingness labour in the me andstate attitude businesses are ofmedia oftransparency interms anomalies media. oncontract worked didnotmatch they ofworkyears inthe their years actual that the reported that bythe unionshowed 65 percent ofjournalists survey the tradeunion. the informality problem. “Especially in the electronic media, social contribu social media, inthe electronic the problem. informality “Especially to again pointing onthe andnotonthe minimum wage, real wage, based it is insurance paid, is whenthe social trend: even another widespread indicated documents regarding labour contracts. regardinglabour documents notchecked buthas this issue, to raise media afew visited has Inspectorate wages oftheir employees. wages According the real donotdeclare to outlets the union,98percent ofmedia Ibid.

Interview with Aleksandër Cipa, chair of the Union of Albanian Journalists, 15 October 2015. 15 October chair ofthe Union Journalists, ofAlbanian Cipa, Aleksandër with Interview TV Channel One Habilaj, Endrit with journalist, Interview According to continues the tradeunion,the situationrights to de oflabour Another problem is the payment of social security contributions. A2012 contributions. security Another problem the is payment ofsocial Informal Labour Practices in Albanian Informal, 2012, p.21. Labour Practices media Union Journalists, ofAlbanian Interview with Aleksandër Cipa, chair of the Union of Albanian Journalists, 15 October 2015. 15 October chair ofthe Union Journalists, ofAlbanian Cipa, Aleksandër with Interview 3MayStatement 2015. ofthe Union Journalists, ofAlbanian News 24 TV 24 News Alliaj, Eglantina journalist, with Interview According to the trade union and interviews with journalists, the Labour the Labour journalists, with According to the trade union and interviews 52 Online media are implicated in even greater informality, are implicated ineven Onlinemedia according to 53 Recent cases have also indicated that offraud, where have indicated there also are cases Recent cases 54 In addition, both the union and the journalists interviewed interviewed the unionandthe Inaddition,both journalists 56 58 All these factors in the field of labour rights rights inthe field factors labour of Allthese 51 The situation is similar for radio stations, Thesituation is similar for radiostations, 57 The journalists share the same journalists con The , 5 September 2015. , 5September , 21 September 2015., 21 September 50 Out of Out 55 ------

EMPLOYEES. REAL WAGES OF THEIR DO NOT DECLARE THE OF MEDIA OUTLETS UNION, 98PERCENT ACCORDING TO THE

MEDIA INTEGRITY MATTERS STATE-MEDIA FINANCIAL RELATIONS IN ALBANIA NURTURIN CLIENT-BASED MEDIA PRACTICICES 15 19 61 60 59 nothelp inthis respect. does market also andon theselves advertising companies them ofthe practices media inthe business transparency Low outlets. more difficulttotrack spent the even inway funds are thatmedia relation public to it makes This andpubliccampaigns. in thefor tendersadvertising for publicfunds ofthe andhave process the way paved for moretransparency actorsto participate proper Current to guarantee made mainlybythe fail government. regulations to theextent media. allocated ofpublicfunds of the state itdifficult to authoritiesmakes have a complete picturetrue of the help. Furthermore, the publiccompanies absence from that ofdata are notpart not does ofstate andmonitor the advertising distribution to oversee tral body fact that The thereis no cen orpublicawareness campaigns. cultural events to organise orfunding inthe ofadvertising form given for the media, funding morestate difficult totrack iteven makes outlets, sister companies ofmedia and agencies, as advertising such Theinvolvement actors, of new databases. ofthe despite existing commercial andthe operations stateing both funding, to pay the debt. andhadfailed versity business to 1.2milliondollars the uni about state private his from owed group Media the from taken Tax was claimed Directorate, saying that ofthe the Mapo owner publishinginformation they newspaper that party ofthe opposition ple was latest The exam media. publish information ontheir rival occasionally media some onthis, ing the due.Even amounts transparency though there nofull is to the state, VAT owe money such as owethe state. TheDirectorate of owners, dia that of alist those publishes Taxes have owed taxes to the taxes have state since owed 2010. ofwhom some owners, related to media to the businesses state afew includes accordingtaxes owing theircurrent to of smalldebts, The the list those article. who could barely afford payto harsh on small businesses, very while being this, regarding the tax levies that media businesses, or other businesses ofthe me orother businesses businesses, that media levies regarding the tax

2015 https://www.tatime.gov.al/sq-al/Media/Publikime/Borxhi%20Tatimor/Documents/borxhiSee 2015. Accessed10 October si-ra-mapo-ne-prehrin-e-qeverise&catid=58:lajme-kyce. http://www.rilindjademokratike.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14254:- neprehrin “SiraMapo eqeverise,”Doci, Rilindja 2014. Available Demokratike, 2December at: Efforts to legislate in this field have been sparse, and the decisions have been been decisions have andsparse, the been in fieldthis to legislate Efforts have services of advertisement for print and electronic media are exempted for media print andelectronic VAT from ofadvertisement services of and the provision andbooks, for materials print media for newspapers, printing houses According to No.92/2014 the Law “On VAT Apart from labour rights implementation, rights anotherApart labour problem transparency from is The transparency of media market in Albania marketcontinues inAlbania be low, ofmedia to The transparency includ CONCLUSIONS 1007.pdf. Accessed 14 October 2015. ­1007.pdf. 2015. Accessed 14 October , 59 or other payments, but without publish butwithout orother payments, in Republic ofAlbania,” inRepublic of ofservices provision 61 60 Thestate continued to tolerate . ------­­ CAMPAIGNS. PUBLIC AWARENESS CULTURAL EVENTS OR FUNDING TO ORGANISE ADVERTISING OR IN THE FORM OF THE MEDIA, GIVEN STATE FUNDING FOR DIFFICULT TO TRACK MAKES IT EVEN MORE OF MEDIA OUTLETS, AND SISTER COMPANIES ADVERTISING AGENCIES, NEW ACTORS, SUCH AS THE INVOLVEMENT OF EXISTING DATABASES. DESPITE OF THE THE STATE FUNDING, OPERATIONS AND BOTH COMMERCIAL TO BE LOW, INCLUDING ALBANIA CONTINUES OF MEDIA MARKET IN THE TRANSPARENCY

MEDIA INTEGRITY MATTERS STATE-MEDIA FINANCIAL RELATIONS IN ALBANIA NURTURIN CLIENT-BASED MEDIA PRACTICICES 16 19 closely monitor its implementation. monitorclosely its the public. easily accessible to be and should sources, official well as sources as pendent unilaterally. solved ofthe be market ingeneral, andcannot functioning Public Procurement Agency. However, on dependent such highly apractice is “centralised” be also can dia to monitor andapprove, for the onebody such as funds to me ofpublic The allocation distributed. is onhowadvertising teria establish policy.clear,should Thelegislation thancri editorial easy-to-follow rather onmerit, that ones for are distribution, based and transparent criteria fair inorderguarantee to companies, that media benefit andpublicfunds tising practice inthe country. to client-based ahighly media led which has andpolitics, clearly the highlight interdependence ofmedia pects enforcement. as Allofthese generally relaxation ofobligations orselective to be seems to debts the owners’ state, the keyword regardingmedia media, torate generallyprefers inthe to avoid rights andenforcing monitoring labour inspec Whilethe labour and (non)payment ofstate taxes. rights labour ists’ acomplex the ofjournal also interms stateis andthe relation media between for advertising. used the intracking trends instate funds the lack oftransparency adding to more another widespread, is trend that become has to the media, ed orto other companies relat agencies, through advertising offunds Distribution the proving client and government. nature media of relationslic funds, between from pub that to most come groups benefit arotationer seems inthe media practice, the short-lived. intention to With be proved has the change ofpow to make a difference publicly promised with government has this andbreak new policy editorial on their specifically based groups, have to media favour tended certain The Labour inspectorate should enforce the Labour Code in the media and in the media Code should enforceLabour inspectorate Labour the The made public by marketinde should be and on media on advertising Data there Finally, practices, business ofmedia level the lowtransparency given Government/Parliament should revise current regulations on media adver onmedia current regulations shouldGovernment/Parliament revise through the years ofgovernment advertising The trends in the distribution RECOMMENDATIONS vis-à-vis the government. Even the each government. rotation each though with ofpower ------VIS THE GOVERNMENT. EDITORIAL POLICY VIS-À- SPECIFICALLY ON THEIR MEDIA GROUPS, BASED TO FAVOUR CERTAIN THE YEARS HAVE TENDED ADVERTISING THROUGH OF GOVERNMENT THE DISTRIBUTION THE TRENDS IN

MEDIA INTEGRITY MATTERS STATE-MEDIA FINANCIAL RELATIONS IN ALBANIA NURTURIN CLIENT-BASED MEDIA PRACTICICES 17 19 Albanian Media Institute, Media Media Albanian owner Bollino, C., “Unë, Doktori dhe frika nga his nga “Unë, dhefrika Doktori C., Bollino, Institute, and private State Media Albanian Hyka, D.,Hyka, “A imire nje biznes janeportalet Human Watch, Rights of Cost The Albania: e dhedetajet H.,“Bunk’art, Bolino Hasani, Tema,Gazeta “ neprehrin “SiraMapo e E., Doci, Tirana, 2007, p.23. ship, and pluralism independence, , ISHM , Tirana, 2014. in Albanian, ISHMadvertisement media , 17 September 2015. Accessed prokurim-te-drejtperdrejte/. dekorit-te-qytetit394-milione-leke-me- kut-pd-akuza-qeverise-per-tenderin-e- web/2014/11/01/vizita-e-papa-frances Available http://www.gazetatema.net/ at: thashethemesh,”klub 2014. 1November eshte kthyer ne Opozita Kryeministria: ePapes/ viziten edekorit per derin 2015. 5 October 254811ka-nga-historia- .html. Accessed 2709 com/analiza/ 2014. Available http://shqiptarja. at: toria,” , 25November Shqiptarja.com Revista Monitor, 9August Revista ne Shqiperi?” 2015. Accessed 3October 2002 ports/ Available http://www.hrw.org/re at: - Albania ofMedia Violations Freedom inSpeech: soz/. A detajet-e-panjohura-te-nje-tenderi-luk www.pol-al.com/bunkart-bolino-dhe- 2014. November Available24 http:// at: (pa)njohura të një luksoz,” tenderi POL 2015.10 October Accessed 58:lajme-kyce. ise&catid= si-ra-mapo-ne-prehrin-e-qever 14254 :- tent&view=article&id= com/index.php?option=com_con- http://www.rilindjademokratike. 2014. Available2 December at: qeverise,” Rilindja Demokratike, BIBLIOGRAPHY ccessed 20 September 2015. September 20 ccessed , June 2002, Vol. 14, No.5,p.47. PD 0602 .pdf. /albania/albania : Qeveria abuzio meten- abuzio : Qeveria - /un--doktori-dhe-fri - - - , - - Flash Report 6:Albania Report , SEE I.,Flash Londo, I.,“Albania”,Londo, inTelevision Europe: across I.,“Albania,”Londo, inMedia Integrity subvert B.,“Bigadvertisers Likmeta, , “Albania”,IREX inMedia Sustainability Matlija, D.,Matlija, Publicprocurement ofadver Union of Albanian Journalists, Statement, Union Journalists, ofAlbanian Informal Union Journalists, ofAlbanian Shqiptarja.com, “ Shqiptarja.com, Monitor,Revista “Tregu- iagjen kaotik Institute, Budapest, New york, 2008. 2008. york, New Institute, Budapest, Society Follow-up, Open 2008 Reports , PeaceMatters 2014. Institute, Ljubljana, 30 September 2015. A banian-media-freedom. - en/article/big-advertisers-subvert-al http://www.balkaninsight.com/ at: 2013.Insight Available December , 20 freedom,” media Albanian Balkan , 2014.Index A shqiperi/. al/a-jane-portalet-nje-biznes-i-mire-ne- 2015. Available http://www.monitor. at: 7 October 2015. 7 October Accessed dar/flash-report-6-albania. - http://mediaobservatory.net/ra at: 13 2015. February Observatory, Available 3 May 2015. Tirana, 2012, p.21. in AlbanianLabour Practices Media, 2015. Accessed 3October 261118 isten-te-firmoste-tenderin- - pd-veliaj-favorizoi-eag-detyroi--special 2732 http://shqiptarja.com/politike/ in,” 2014. Available December 20 at: tëtender firmoste specialisten detyroi 10 October 2015.10 October A tik-i-agjencive-publicitare/. http://www.monitor.al/tregu-kaoat: - publicitare,”cive 4June 2012. Available Europe, Tirana, 2014. European of , Council Albania, practices and publicity intisement campaigns ccessed 15 October 2015. 15ccessed October PD : Veliaj, EAG favorizoi ccessed ccessed ccessed ccessed .html. Media Media / - -

MEDIA INTEGRITY MATTERS STATE-MEDIA FINANCIAL RELATIONS IN ALBANIA NURTURIN CLIENT-BASED MEDIA PRACTICICES 18 19 “On procurement ofproductions/broadcast “On publicprocurement,” No.643, Law 20 “On the ofPublic Publication ofBulletin Available http:// Albania. Data at: Open National Center. Registration Available at: Aleksandër Cipa, chair ofthe Union of Cipa, Aleksandër oftheShkëlqim Albanian head Bylykbashi, ILDA LONDO Media Observatory. Media organisation Institute, Coordinator inthe SEE atResearch apartner Media the Albanian November 2006, Parliament 2006, ofAlbania. November March ofMinisters. Council 2006, Notifications,” No.176,Decision 29 2015. September–October Accessed spending.data.al/sq/treasury/. 2015 October Accessed September– Subjekt.aspx. http://www.qkr.gov.al/nrc/Kerko_Per_ Council ofMinisters. Council No.6223, 2007, Decision 29September inthe media,”administration bodies state from andspots ing ofadvertising Albanian Journalists, 15 October 2015. 15 October Journalists, Albanian 2015. 22January Club, Media ONLINE REGISTERS AND RELATED RESOURCES LAWS AND REGULATIONS LIST OF INTERVIEWS AUTHOR holds a degree in Journalism/Political Sciences. She is currently employed as a currently as Sheis employed inJournalism/Political Sciences. adegree holds  . - https://www.tatime.gov.al/sq-al/Media/ “On for organisationrules of definitionof and production “On development, purchase, News 24 TV 24 News Alliaj,Eglantina journalist, Channel One TV Channel One Habilaj,Endrit journalist, A 20151007 Documents/borxhi 20 Publikime/Borxhi% Council ofMinisters. Council No.1173, 2009, Decision 6November institutions,” independent er public, ofcentral government andoth- bodies from events andsocial cultural, artistic, ofMinisters. August Council 2008, istration bodies,” No.1195, Decision 5 state from for admin- contracts airtime, andon or publication inprint media, inradiotelevisions ment for broadcast - andadvertise ofprograms coproduction 5 September 2015. 5 September 21 September 2015.21 September ccessed 14 October 2015. 14ccessed October Tatimor/ .pdf. .pdf. ,

,

AUTHOR Ilda Londo EDITOR Brankica Petković STATE-MEDIA FINANCIAL RELATIONS ASSISTANT EDITOR Saša Panić REVIEWER Sandra This report has been produced with the financial assistance IN ALBANIA B. Hrvatin PUBLISHER Peace Institute, Institute for of the European Union. The contents of the report are the The report has been produced Contemporary Social and Political Studies, Metelkova 6, sole responsibility of the Peace Institute and the author, and within the project South East NURTURING CLIENT-BASED SI–1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia, . DESIGN DAK, Ljubljana, November 2015 position of the European Union. http//www.mediaobservatory.net.