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In the most blatant manner, with a decision motivated entirely by political reasons, the National Council of Radio and Television penalized the media outlets of the “Koha Jonë” Company, TV Koha and Radio Koha. Indeed, the very idea of making public the list of audiovisual media outlets that would enjoy the privilege of being licensed, on the eve of the start of the election campaign for the 1 October elections, amounts both to a “reward” for media outlets that have conceived of their survival as depending on “fawning” over the government and the Socialist Party, and to a punishment for those media outlets that are in the opposition or play the role of opposition, refusing to make compromises at the expense of dignity and character. Judging by the widely contested decision of the KKRT, it is not difficult to understand that such criteria as professionalism, artistic ability or technical potential have been completely ignored in favor of political servility. Apart from TV Shijak, known for its ties to the opposition, and TV Klan, which has reached relatively high standards compared with other TV stations, it can be said that the basic criterion for licensing has been their pro-government disposition. Specifically, the KKRT decision of two days ago clearly showed an attempt to monopolize free speech, with the aim of putting it at the service of the forces in the ruling coalition. In this respect, the main target of the KKRT censors is naturally the independent media. And the “KJ” media outlets, inheriting the mindset cultivated by the newspaper “Koha Jonë” of not placing themselves at the service of any political force or politico-financial clans, can be said to have served as a kind of benchmark for the degree of independence. Even now, at this moment when the political forces are expected to launch their full-scale involvement in the election campaign, the media outlets of the “Koha Jonë” Company have been extremely active in criticizing both sides of the political spectrum, and especially in publishing large amounts of information about abuses, legal violations and the irresponsibility of those in power. Such positions could hardly fail to provoke reactions from some politicians vested with power, who have unleashed a torrent of criticism and insults against the newspaper “KJ”, even calling it, on one occasion, a “house of whores.” They forget that “KJ” was fought by Berisha’s government far more than by today’s officeholders, who never had the honor of being a real opposition. But, bearing in mind the power of “KJ”’s voice and its ability to shape public opinion, certain clans in power and in the highest forums of the PS have long been “moving their pieces” to bring it into their service. Perhaps because they do not foresee the return of the days when they would slink like sinners to the newspaper’s editorial office, unable to face Berisha. (Continued on page 2)

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Kills his wife, wounds his daughter, then kills himself Page 12

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