“The Prosecutor’s Office knows where the former bodyguard is, but it does not question him” The secrets of the assassination attempt, Zenel Neza’s brother reveals the backstage of the “escape”

BY NIKOLLË LESI As soon as local or parliamentary election dates approach, all politics enters a fever of activity. This becomes even more intense in the media, especially in their newspapers, where passions reach their peak. I understand electoral psychology; the mistake lies in the fact that action and the defacing of an opponent are taken as the basis of evil. This logic is well suited to the strongest powers that control the daily newspapers. When it comes to their rival in the market, there is no question that the weapons of propaganda will be set apart. With statistics, alarm bells and lines of text moving from one news item to another. The example of this parallel-election campaign we saw before 24 August was not without confusion; not only in human terms but also through and with writings, in a seven-part manner, there are proofs. And this shows how frightened the rival is in the media market; leave that aside now. In the democratic years, many, both great and small, in Kosovo have had different opinions from the market enterprises and the surrounding policies. When the day came, it began to be written in the media that something was being prepared behind the scenes. There are some elements that provide something to talk about, but there is no basis. First of all, I was surprised by the news I had read that the UÇK headquarters had supposedly come to Tirana to kill with a silenced pistol. Then I saw people talking about things they did not know. If there is no evidence, let there be no slander. Whoever writes about these matters must bear great responsibility before the public. One cannot use people’s names, institutions or political forces without proving them. In this climate, burdened by rhetoric and current interests, the independent mass media is put to the test. It either resists pressure or falls prey to it. The journalist must not be anyone’s spokesman, but a seeker of truth. This is our test as free media. Lawyer Spartak Ngjela - The man who will challenge Edi Rama for the capital As soon as local or parliamentary election dates approach, all politics enters a fever of activity. This becomes even more intense in the media; election montages, speculative articles and the rhetoric of the day become everyday features of newspapers. I understand electoral psychology, especially when strong political rivals are involved, but this cannot be a reason to distort the truth. The crime of the murder of Azem Hajdari, according to his speculations, began to move in the last months of summer. It was written about in newspapers, often speculative and otherwise, it even made it to television reports and began to circulate as if it were the truth [?]. This logic is well suited to the use of newspapers as a political weapon. When it comes to rivals, neither insinuations, nor slander, nor the fabrication of scenarios are spared. Let us take as an example the well-known case of the poster battle that began to be displayed with great fanfare in the city municipality. No one knows the full truth, but nevertheless a climate was created as if everything had already been decided. In such a climate, independent media is put to the test. Let us stop at the question of how media can be independent when part of it is used to defend narrow political interests. This happens not infrequently. Through the media, the public is called upon to remain calm, but at the same time doubt, prejudice and confusion are produced. In such conditions, the public has the right to ask whom such information serves. For several days, many articles have been used in which it is claimed, with much fanfare, that the Prosecutor General and the Prime Minister know the whereabouts of a key person, but do not act. This is a serious accusation and must be treated with evidence. Otherwise, the media falls into the trap of political use. This is not the first time something like this has happened. But every time elections approach, the same ritual is observed: blows with headlines, implications, and the staging of an overall atmosphere of crisis. If the media accepts this role, then it gives up its mission. Otherwise, if it maintains professional standards, verifies sources, and separates fact from comment, then it has a chance to remain credible. This is the real challenge for Albanian journalism. Lawyer Spartak Ngjela - The man who will challenge Edi Rama for the capital

No hope for the 118 Russian sailors Page 22

“Media 99” puts up 650 thousand dollars for the renewal of “TV KOHA” The owner of the media group “Media 99” decided to invest 650 thousand dollars in renewing the conditions and studios of the TV in several steps such as Çizave (Gjirokastër), Kavajë, Vlorë, Korçë, Midë. The heritage of private TV and the unities [?] that are put forward publicly as if by default. (Continued on page 11)

At the address: Rr. “Milo Petra”, no. 2 Tirana For reservations contact: Tel. 233 94 / 31 62 Tel. (355 4) 308 7 [?]. Fax. 7.758 50 Symbol of our civilization Mythos Symbol of our civilization