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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In a statement earlier today, Safe Journalists expressed concerns over Rama’s public statements about the public Albanian Radio and Television, warning that “linking the existence or funding of a public broadcaster to executive and political approval undermines its independence and poses risks to media freedom”.

In a post on social media platform X, the government head said the statement illustrated what he described as a troubling trend of failing to properly listen to what others actually say.

“It is becoming an unfortunate pattern of this new era of unchecked laziness in listening to what others really say, resulting in statements such as the one attached, which reflect a deeply distorted misunderstanding of my position regarding the Albanian Public Broadcaster,” Rama wrote.

The Premier urged the authors of the Safe Journalists statement to read or listen carefully to his speech and make an honest effort to grasp its real message.

“My remarks have absolutely nothing to do with ‘linking the funding or the existence of RTSH to political approval’. Any such interpretation is simply inaccurate and misleading,” Rama said, adding that protecting information begins with not spreading disinformation.

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