Home > 1.3.1.1 Media > ALBANIA- Joint Opinion on the Electoral Code
 
 
 
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Paragraph 36
 

Article 84 of the Code regulates private radio and television during elections.  Article 84(2) requires that the news coverage of private radio and television be based on the same formula used to allocate free airtime on Public Radio and Television to parliamentary political parties in Article 80.  Article 84(2) also limits news coverage of non-parliamentary parties if such coverage results in coverage “greater than the time applied for parliamentary parties.”  Article 84(2) raises questions of compatibility with the two principles discussed in paragraphs 33 and 34 above.  Article 84(2) discriminates in favour of specific political parties and raises questions of compatibility with the principle that a state should not itself determine media content or exercise political authority or influence to determine media content.  The Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR recommend that Article 84 be accordingly amended.