JOURNALISTS ARBEN RUKA, GENC TIRANA, VERA ISAKU, BEN BLUSHI, ARMAND SHKULLAKU, MEHILL TANUSHI AND DRITAN KABA ISSUE THIS STATEMENT TO THE PRESS — ADDRESSED TO PRESS ORGANIZATIONS, RADIO-TELEVISION, DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS AND INTERNATIONAL INSTITU-TIONS — We, a group of journalists from the newspaper «Rilindja Demokratike», who have been part of it since its earliest days, hereby declare our resignation for the following reasons: We joined as founders of Albania’s first opposition organ from its very beginnings, aspiring to democracy, freedom of speech and expression, national emancipation, and a relationship with the truth that was not distorted. We worked at this newspaper for more than a year and a half, with the principles of a free press as our motto, regardless of the freedom of speech, tolerance, and consolidation of a democratic state. Even after the first factions emerged within the PD, the newspaper’s orientation was defined broadly, so that it would reflect a diversity of views. But this breadth kept narrowing until, at a meeting in May of this year, it became clear to the journalists that the newspaper «RD» was deeply partisan. But even this position was not maintained to the end. Recently, the newspaper «RD» was used precisely to attack members of the PD themselves; in the newspaper «RD», vulgarity is becoming the norm, which we observe has spread like an epidemic through almost all the Albanian press. The insults, abuse and slander against various people published here, whose aim is to strip the individual of their identity, are in flagrant contradiction with journalistic ethics and respect for human rights. The biographies being written about people in the newspaper, as in the personnel offices of the PPSH, sometimes seem to sound like calls for revenge. Thus, instead of cultivating— of a free press as our motto, and despite what is happening, each of us feels proud because, after all, our work is also part of the foundations of the democracy Albania has today and of the one that will be shaped tomorrow. However, in several respects at once, this newspaper is not adhering to the platform and programme on which it was founded and on which its continued existence was based, something that will compromise our reputation as well as the good name this newspaper established at its beginnings. What compels us more than anything else to make this decision is the fact that we feel the weight of censorship more and more every day. We feel that the newspaper’s relationship with the truth—the relationship that should have been its guiding principle, as stated in the first issue—has been broken. This happened gradually, step by step, but in the end it can be said that the basic criteria of journalism, such as professionalism and truthfulness, have been replaced by militancy. At the outset, the newspaper «Rilindja Demokratike» was conceived as an organ of PD, and so we thought that subordination to a democratic party would serve only the truth, freedom of speech and expression, national emancipation, and an unbroken relationship with the truth. and of the one that will be shaped tomorrow. … «RD» is deeply partisan. But even here, that definition was not upheld to the end. Recently, «RD» was used specifically to attack PD members themselves, or other individuals associated with it. Indeed, the people attacked were not given the right to publish replies, even though, at the beginning, in the name of transparency, this newspaper published all kinds of responses. We have spoken up and debated openly about these problems, so our resignation is not spontaneous, but is the result of our thoughts and ideas, which we have expressed continually. Although «RD», as an organ of PD, should defend Mr Meksi’s government, it has not refrained from attacking members of the government in the newspaper, and indirectly the prime minister himself, in accordance with the interests of certain clans. This strategy, through which anyone considered an opponent is targeted—and it would be no surprise if one day it were directed against the President as well—is nothing other than personal politics. In the conditions of this organ’s instrumentalization and the response to political immorality, we are right to withdraw, so as not to become accomplices or get drawn into the maelstrom of clan warfare. On the other hand, increasingly, the newspaper… …narrowing more and more was made clear to the journalists that The biographies being written about people in the newspaper, just as in the personnel offices of PPSH, sometimes sound like threats of revenge. Thus, instead of cultivating a new democratic culture, primitive instincts for vengeance and intolerance are being encouraged. What is making the situation more unbearable is that all this practice is taking place at a time when most of the newspaper’s staff do not agree with it. In other words, the democratic element—the collegial spirit—is precisely what is missing, and this is hardening relations further. By refusing to be blind, obedient soldiers of the Democratic Party or of any of its clans, we hope our act will contribute to the creation of an independent, free, non-party press. We emphasize that through this action we are not entering the political games of particular groups or forces, with or without power, since we want the press to be objective and informative, and uninfluenced by groups, clans, or individuals, wherever they may be. We also expressly ask that this statement not be exploited for immoral political purposes, as we have often seen happening lately. Tirana, 24 August 1992

Last week, on Thursday evening, TV aired a report in its news broadcasts about a meeting of members and supporters of the Party of National Union (Balli) with several friends of the party who had come from the USA. This report was quite ordinary. Members and supporters of Balli meet with several Albanians from Balli in the USA. Among the many Balli members, we also caught sight of Mr Baleta on screen, listening attentively. Of course, being a member or supporter of this party is quite normal, but Mr Abdi, why did you betray yourself? I say “betray” because just a few days earlier he had been sharply criticized by the chairman of the Democratic Party, the PD, for this very thing. Baleta is a member of the publishing council of «Balli i Kombit», an MP for the PD, but not a member of the PD. Whose member is Baleta? Did this not prove what Pashko, Zogaj, Imani, Demeti and Trako said—that the PD is being usurped by the Ballists?!

As we are informed by official sources, the State Audit in Tirana has begun [a campaign] to expose the so-called reformist group in the PD’s grave, without inspections, of the QNK’s “observers”—led by Mr Çupi, the «Spektër» magazine of Mr Zogaj, Mr Pashko’s cup? etc.—and these days will carry out detailed inspections at the Archaeological Center where Nertan Ceka works. It is said that the many letters of the unemployed sent to Blerim Cela point to major corruption at this center. One of the principal abuses resulting from poor administration is the handling of stones by Mr Neritan Ceka. As a result of his poor work, people have stolen stones of such large dimensions that the corrupt ones, such as Blerim Cela, have arrived at the transport stage [unclear]. The stones (according to the letters) were so large that no means of transport in Albania could move them from their place. It is also reported that some corrupt people want to plunder the Durrës amphitheater together with part of the city castle. Thus Blerim Cela uncovered them through the “security services” and has also ordered television to tie the amphitheater and the castle stones with cables. As for the measures against him as director of this center, you will learn about them after the inspection is completed, through Cela-Bucpapa television.

— NO HUMOR — A few days ago, TV director Mr Qemal Sakajeva urgently summoned all the news journalists to his office and, in a serious tone inherited from the daily «Bashkimi», whose seed has by now disappeared, just like the Front itself, said: — I have called you here to give you four instructions — and he listed the first three, which he clearly had learned by heart, then continued, — the fourth, wait a minute, what was the fourth? — he searched and searched his memory but could not find it, so he decided to close the briefing with the words: “And so, I have forgotten the fourth, but you should know it yourselves.” For days now, TV has been at a loss over the fourth instruction… We ask readers: whoever finds it, please send it to the address: Qemal Sakajeva, Director of TV Tirana.

As our correspondent for these districts, Mr Pjerin Marku, reports, the arrangement of the premises and rooms of the dreaded Burrel and Spaç prisons was urgently completed in recent days. All the prison rooms have also been made ready. The prison is ready. The people convicted of “corruption” are missing…!

As we are informed, the former chairman of the Lezhë district executive committee, Mr Gjergj Gjoni, still refuses to vacate the offices for this city’s new municipality. The municipality held its first meeting in the office of the director of the city’s Palace of Culture. So today, when the municipality has all those problems to solve, it is not being given premises in which to work. Citizens ask: Where is the municipality? Fortunately, the weather is holding, and the mayor of Lezhë, Agron Dibra, together with the members, is holding meetings in the shade of the trees. So in Lezhë the municipality has become itinerant.

We invite all readers of our newspaper to take part in our contest: Who is hiding behind the pseudonym «MENTORI»? We remind you that «MENTORI» is the father of one of today’s ministers. «Mentori» was one of the most active members of the State Security during the dictatorship. The winner will receive 5,000 lek. THE EDITORIAL STAFF