TIRANA, Sept. 4 /ATA/ – SafeJournalists, a regional network representing media organisations in Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, has urged Albania’s Special Court Against Corruption and Organised Crime (GJKKO) to review its new rules governing journalists’ access to courtrooms.
In a statement on Friday, the network called for broad consultations with journalists and media organisations, saying restrictions on electronic devices could make it harder to report quickly and accurately, particularly on cases of high public interest.
Under the new rules, journalists are generally required to leave mobile phones, laptops and other electronic devices outside the courtroom, SafeJournalists said.
The network said the restrictions warranted further discussion, particularly regarding their necessity, proportionality and the practical conditions journalists need to do their jobs effectively.
“SafeJournalists encourages the GJKKO to begin a structured dialogue with journalists and their representative organisations during this initial period of implementation and agree on an early review of the rules concerning the media after the first month,” it said.
The review should take into account the practical experience of both journalists and court staff, including accreditation procedures, the use of standard work devices and communication with the media, the network said.
The aim should be to introduce proportionate adjustments where necessary, it added.
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