OSCE Media Freedom Representative meets Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, welcomes co-operation on online media legislation

VIENNA, 20 November 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today held a meeting with the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, in Vienna to establish new co-operation with Albania on the future regulation of online media.

“I am very pleased to host Prime Minister Edi Rama in Vienna today and to deepen our co-operation following my visit to Albania in February this year,” said Désir. “Albania is a strong partner of my Office. Our co-operation on the new anti-defamation package and rules for online media is very important to ensure that provisions in future legislation are not restrictive to the freedom of expression, media freedom and access to the Internet.”

“This is one of the most complex and sensitive issues for freedom of expression in the digital age and I think our working together is positive for Albania and the whole South-Eastern European region,” concluded Désir.

The Representative informed the Prime Minister about a comparative study on defamation commissioned by his Office, providing an overview of OSCE participating States’ legislation in this area.