TIRANA, November 18/ATA/ OSCE Ambassador Michel Tarran participated in the roundtable organized with the CEC “Elections 2025: Role of the media in electoral process – challenges and opportunities” where he emphasized that “the OSCE remains deeply committed to supporting efforts to foster professional and impartial media coverage during the election process”.
This is the third technical table, organized this year, with the aim of improving electoral processes in areas that do not necessarily require legal changes.
Tarran said in his speech, “This marks the third technical roundtable we have held this year, all aimed at enhancing electoral processes in areas that do not necessarily require legal amendments. Our previous discussions focused on voter education and addressing electoral malpractices. Looking ahead, we plan to host a fourth technical workshop next month, which will explore issues related to voting secrecy.”
“A well-functioning democracy relies on informed citizens. Beyond the act of voting, informed choices are shaped by an understanding of electoral procedures, institutional frameworks, and the platforms and visions of candidates. In this context, the media, often referred to as the “fourth estate,” plays a critical role as the primary source of information for most voters”, “emphasized Tarran.
According to him, media shapes public opinion and can significantly influence electoral outcomes.
“With this immense responsibility, it is imperative for the media to uphold the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct when covering elections,” said Tarran.
Further on, the OSCE ambassador said that, “To address these challenges, together with our CEC partners, we have designed today’s technical workshop as a platform for regulatory bodies, media professionals, and civil society to discuss ways to improve the media environment and its coverage of elections.”
Tarran also said that, “OSCE/ODIHR reports highlight persistent challenges in media coverage of elections and campaigns, many of which are systemic and recurring. Today, international experts from OSCE/ODIHR will share valuable insights into these issues and offer their recommendations for improvement. One notable development ahead of the upcoming elections is the introduction of out-of-country voting, allowing Albanian citizens living abroad to cast their ballots for the first time”.
He added that this expanded electorate presents new challenges, particularly in disseminating accurate and comprehensive electoral information to voters outside of Albania.
Tarran said that it is crucial for the media to ensure fair, independent, and thorough coverage for this broader audience.
“At the same time, we recognize the immense pressures the media face in striving for fairness, analytical depth, and accuracy in their reporting”, said Tarran.
“To address this, the Presence remains steadfast in advocating for effective media regulation and self-regulation. These mechanisms are crucial to ensuring that media outlets operate in line with ethical standards. Furthermore, we are committed to promoting initiatives that empower journalists through self-regulation. By adopting and adhering to a robust code of ethics, media professionals can exercise their responsibilities with integrity, ensuring their work supports the public’s right to fair and accurate information throughout the electoral process and beyond”, concluded Tarran. /p.s./
