RTSH IN THE HANDS OF MEDIA CLANS? TOP CHANNEL, KLAN, ELVA MARGARITI AND THE SILENCE OF THE INSTITUTIONS
EDITORIAL BY FLAMUR BUÇPAPAJ
During these days of protests, nobody seems to remember to speak about the Albanian Radio and Television (RTSH). My personal appeals are falling on deaf ears. When you knock forcefully on a door and nobody opens it, even though a fire has broken out inside, there comes a moment when you must intervene to save the house and the people inside it.
That is how I see RTSH today. In my view, over the past 35 years, this public institution has been left under the influence of political interests and powerful media groups. I have repeatedly raised my voice about this issue, but nobody seems willing to listen. Why? Who is afraid of transparency?
I argue that Top Channel, associated with the Vjollca family, and Klan TV, associated with Aleksandër Frangaj, have exercised considerable influence over Albania’s media landscape. For 35 years, RTSH has faced problems that demand a thorough examination of its management history, assets, studios, expenditure, revenues and contracts.
In my opinion, RTSH has been allowed to weaken while powerful private media groups have expanded their influence. Therefore, I ask a direct question: where have the resources of this public institution gone, and who is responsible for the condition in which it finds itself today?
I demand that the documents, contracts and institutional relationships of the past 35 years be examined. If violations have occurred, they must be investigated, and those responsible must be held accountable.
My recollections of the protests against RTSH and my company
I remember the period when RTSH was under the leadership of the Democratic Party and when, according to my recollections, some of today’s powerful media players were protesting against it.
I also remember the period when my company, Tplani sh.p.k., was involved in a hydroelectric project in Valbona. According to my experience, voices and opposition emerged against my company, including criticism from media figures.
I considered these actions unfair and sought to understand what interests might have motivated them. Why was such strong opposition directed at an Albanian company seeking to develop a hydroelectric project?
In my view, these events demonstrate why the relationships between politics, the media and economic interests must be examined seriously. We cannot accept a situation in which an entrepreneur faces public pressure without having an equal opportunity to explain his position.
I have my own criticisms of this system, and I have no intention of withdrawing the concerns I have raised.
Elva Margariti and the termination of Nacional’s contract
Another issue I cannot remain silent about concerns the contract associated with my media activities.
I challenged the termination of the contract relating to the premises used for Nacional’s activities and raised allegations concerning former Minister of Culture Elva Margariti. I have stated that I referred the matter to SPAK, Albania’s Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime, and that I am seeking an examination of responsibility for the damages I believe I have suffered.
My position is that if a contract has been lawfully concluded, it cannot be terminated without a legal basis and without respecting the relevant procedures. For this reason, I demand that the contract, administrative acts and all documents relating to the matter be examined.
I have also raised concerns about the Art Park and the administration of public funds and cultural projects during the relevant period. I demand that every concern be verified by the competent institutions and that, if violations are established, those responsible be held accountable under the law.
I am not seeking personal revenge. I am seeking justice and an institutional response. It is unacceptable for a media entrepreneur to be left without a remedy in a contractual dispute that he considers unjust.
Entela Cipa, Enila Hasani, Gerta and Aurora of Albafilm
I have not forgotten Entela Cipa either. According to my personal experience, she frequently came near the Nacional building and took photographs while stating that the building belonged to them. I regarded these actions as pressure on me and my staff.
This is my account of what I experienced, and I have raised these concerns publicly. I demand that any claims concerning ownership, the use of premises and communications with Nacional’s staff be examined on the basis of the relevant documents.
I have also raised concerns involving Enila Hasani and former Albafilm executives Gerta and Aurora, regarding matters that, according to my allegations, require institutional scrutiny.
I am not asking for these individuals to be judged in the pages of a newspaper. I am asking the competent authorities to examine the documents, decisions, contracts and any material I have submitted. If violations are proven, those responsible must answer for them. If the evidence does not support the allegations, that too must be clarified.
What I will not accept is for my concerns to be dismissed and for an entrepreneur to be denied the opportunity to seek an institutional remedy.
Why do I speak about RTSH when I have my own media company?
Some may ask: why is Flamur Buçpapaj concerned about RTSH when he has his own media company and is preparing to launch an online television service?
My answer is simple: RTSH is a public institution and cannot be treated as the private property of its executives, political parties or media groups.
Nacional.al is my own media operation. I have invested in journalism, publishing and culture. I have written novels, plays, opinion articles and scientific studies. I have worked to translate and promote Albanian literature and intend to expand my activities into online television.
I am not asking to take over RTSH. I am not seeking a job or a contract with the institution. I am demanding professional management and transparency.
I would like RTSH to produce more Albanian films, television series, documentaries, scientific programmes, historical features and cultural broadcasts. I want it to promote Albanian writers, artists, researchers and national heritage.
But this requires genuine reform, professional leadership, transparent finances and editorial independence.
Where is RTSH’s money, and how are state advertisements allocated?
These are the questions that must be addressed to RTSH’s management and the responsible institutions:
– Where has the institution’s money gone over the past 35 years?
– How have RTSH’s studios, equipment and assets been managed?
– How have contracts and procurement procedures been conducted?
– How are state advertisements allocated, and what criteria determine which media outlets receive them?
– What financial audits have been carried out, and what were their findings?
– How is RTSH’s independence from political and economic interests guaranteed?
The performance of Director-General Eni Vasili and every other executive must be assessed according to their legal responsibilities, results and the available documentation. Information that the law requires to be public must be disclosed.
Being appointed to a leadership position is not enough. Executives must explain how they have used public money and what results they have achieved.
Where are the opposition and the Parliamentary Media Committee?
Why has the Democratic Party not placed RTSH at the centre of a sustained debate about transparency? Why are more parliamentary hearings not being demanded concerning contracts, expenditure and the management of this institution?
The opposition should present its position and demand meaningful parliamentary scrutiny. The Socialist Party, as the political force leading the government, must also bear political responsibility for the functioning of public institutions, without interfering in their editorial independence.
RTSH does not belong to the Socialist Party, the Democratic Party or any other political party. It is a public asset belonging to the citizens of Albania.
It is time to say STOP!
I address Top Channel, the Vjollca family, Klan TV and Aleksandër Frangaj: the debate about Albania’s media landscape must now produce concrete answers. Transparency, fair competition and respect for the law are essential.
I will continue to seek answers concerning Nacional, the disputed contract, my allegations regarding Elva Margariti, and the matters I have raised involving Entela Cipa, Enila Hasani, Gerta and Aurora of Albafilm.
I will also continue to demand transparency concerning RTSH, its assets, studios, contracts, procurement procedures and state advertising.
If the institutions fail to respond, I will call for peaceful and lawful protests outside the responsible institutions and, in accordance with legal procedures, outside the headquarters of the media organisations about which I have raised concerns.
Regarding any suspicions about assets and the origins of funds, I demand verification by the competent authorities. If it is proven that assets were acquired unlawfully, the measures provided for by law must be applied, including seizure or confiscation where the legal requirements are met. Such measures cannot be imposed on the basis of public accusations; they require evidence and decisions by legally authorised authorities.
I, Flamur Buçpapaj, am not asking to take RTSH for myself. I am demanding that RTSH should not belong to anyone privately.
I am not asking for privileges for Nacional. I am demanding equal rules for all media outlets.
I am not seeking personal revenge. I am demanding justice, transparency and accountability.
RTSH belongs to the citizens of Albania. Public money demands accountability. The media must be free. And nobody should be above the law.
Flamur Buçpapaj
Writer, publicist and director of Nacional
