The OSCE Presence in Albania held its 11th annual Media Development Forum, bringing together policymakers, regulators, and media experts to address two pressing issues in Albania’s media landscape: transparency of media ownership and the institutional independence of the public broadcaster RTSH.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Michel Tarran, Head of the OSCE Presence, reaffirmed the OSCE’s commitment to supporting media pluralism, transparency, and resilience. “Our shared goal,” he stated, “must be a media environment in Albania that is diverse, transparent, independent, and resistant to political or economic pressure one that sustains informed public debate and protects democratic values.”

From Vienna, Ambassador Jan Braathu, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, underscored the significance of these discussions, noting that “they are vital not only for defending press freedom, but also for ensuring that media serves as a genuine platform for diverse voices, ethical journalism, and informed public debate.”

The second session of the Forum focused on RTSH’s independence, its role in serving the public interest, and the challenges of governance, financing, and editorial integrity. The session featured RTSH Director General Eni Vasili, who highlighted ongoing internal efforts and financial constraints, as well as media integrity expert Lutfi Dervishi and Dr. Blerjana Bino, SJN Researcher and Executive Director of SCiDEV, who both emphasized the urgency of strengthening accountability and public oversight mechanisms.

Dr. Blerjana Bino offered an analytical perspective on RTSH’s structural and functional challenges, arguing that reform must move beyond formal independence to functional integrity and systemic accountability.

“RTSH should be seen as a public and democratic infrastructure of collective memory and civic dialogue — a space where information serves the public good, not political or market interests,” said Bino. “Its independence cannot be absolute; it must be functional — grounded in impartiality, accountability, and transparency.”

Bino emphasized that governance reform is key to rebuilding public trust. The process for selecting RTSH’s governing bodies should transcend political negotiation and proportionality formulas, ensuring professional merit and civic representation. She also called for consistent and transparent reporting mechanisms, including regular performance reviews, financial disclosures, and public feedback loops that connect citizens with the broadcaster’s accountability framework.

Another crucial dimension discussed was editorial independence. Bino underlined that credibility depends on clear editorial standards, analytical journalism, and protection of journalists from internal or external pressure.She further stressed the need for continuous professional development, digital literacy, and AI-related competencies to adapt to technological and societal change while upholding ethical standards.

In addressing the financial dimension, participants agreed that funding should be linked to transparency and performance, not political leverage. Bino added that diversification of financial resources should not undermine RTSH’s public service mission, and that AI and digital transformation can enhance transparency, innovation, and audience engagement.

The discussion concluded with a shared understanding that RTSH reform must be systemic, not cosmetic. This entails open and transparent governance, participatory oversight, ethical and digital upskilling, and sustained public accountability. Beyond institutional reform, participants underlined the need to protect journalists from internal censorship, political pressure, and retaliation. Bino also argued that RTSH’s strength depends on its journalists’ ability to organize and speak collectively.

Forum participants agreed that a transparent media ownership structure and an independent, trustworthy public broadcaster are indispensable for protecting democratic discourse in Albania. The OSCE Presence in Albania will continue to facilitate dialogue and follow-up actions to advance these priorities.