Covid-19, Meta Rejects Fines For Televisions: Disproportionate Measures, Violates Freedom
Nga OraNews Përditësimi i fundit 13 Korrik 2020, 16:12
The normative act of the government that fines the mediawith 1 million ALL until the interruption of the broadcast, if there are morethan two people in the studio, is considered unconstitutional by President IlirMeta.
The head of state has rejected the law, saying theforecasts create room for abuse and violation of freedom of speech.
The president, Ilir Meta, has rejected the government'snormative act "on taking special administrative measures during theduration of the COVID-19 infection period".
This act provides for a fine of 1 million ALL until thebroadcasting is blocked for the audiovisual media, which take more than 2people in a studio and maintain a distance of 2 meters.
The president says the envisaged sanctions aredisproportionate to their purpose.
Meta: The Assembly should clarify that the objective that justifies the restriction of the right and the punishment in case of violation, is in a logical and fair relationship with the foreseen punitive measure and not at all in excess of it.
Even more worrying, says the President, remains the factthat punitive measures are taken by the Ministry responsible for Health,increasing the risk of abuse and political influence.
Meta: Disproportionate punitive measures can lead to unjust punishment of the media, no longer by an independent body, but by the Ministry responsible for health that represents the political will, directly affecting the quality and objectivity of information in this period pandemic when, objective information is very important for the fulfillment of civic responsibilities.
The President says that the Venice Commission has givenan opinion on the freedom and functioning of the media, to any legal measure orprovision taken, according to him, this document should be taken intoconsideration.
