Upset by the moral defeat of the election campaign, the country’s President is implementing the instructions of the PD’s General Headquarters, by massively hiding the activities of the Socialist Party and clearly favoring the opposition! Instead of keeping RTVSH impartial, he has turned it into a loudspeaker for the democrats! This is clearly proven by the truth of recent days and especially by what is happening with the election campaign. At a time when the Socialist Party, its representatives and its chairman, Fatos Nano, hold numerous meetings and rallies every day throughout the country, presenting their program and alternative to voters, RTVSH either completely ignores these activities or reports them in a truncated way, with the open purpose of distorting them. Meanwhile, on the other hand, television and radio devote incalculable space and time to the activities of the PD, broadcasting them in full, accompanied by laudatory comments and propagandistic tones. Thus the principle of equality in the campaign and the public’s right to be properly informed are being trampled underfoot. This is a shameless use of state media for party interests and another proof that the current власти does not give up the old methods of manipulation. The people see and understand this injustice. As a result of this one-sided conduct by RTVSH, the electoral climate is seriously damaged and citizens’ trust in the democratic process is undermined. Instead of public media being a platform for everyone, it is becoming the sole megaphone of a political force. The Socialist Party firmly condemns this distortion of the public mission of radio and television and calls on journalists and the managers of these institutions to respect the law, professional ethics, and the right of every political subject to equal treatment. Elections cannot take place normally under the shadow of such shameless propaganda.

A broad layer of society, especially ordinary citizens, have begun to ask, quite rightly: why are our television and radio speaking so one-sidedly? Why does the opposition appear nonstop, while the voice of the Socialists is barely heard? Why is there silence about the many meetings between the electorate and the Socialist Party’s candidates? These questions are not accidental. They arise from a palpable reality that every television viewer and radio listener notices. In the news programs, excessive weight is given to one side and the other side is ignored. This is neither free journalism nor honest information. It is service to a political purpose. Citizens want the truth, not propaganda. They want to compare alternatives and hear all sides. Therefore, public media must serve the public, not parties. Whoever distorts this duty harms the country and fragile Albanian democracy.

DISCUSSION WITH THE ELECTORATE ... SHALL WE TEST THE OPPOSITION AT ONCE? Opposition leaders: “Shkëlqim Veizi, zëëz ...”[?] You are better at making noise than at helping people. You promise a lot, but when it comes to concrete solutions, you present nothing clear. What will happen to unemployment? What will be done about prices? How will pensioners live? The opposition gives no answers to these questions. It speaks with slogans and anger, but not with responsibility. In meetings with voters, Socialist candidates listen carefully to their concerns and explain the program for stabilizing the economy, protecting vulnerable groups, and maintaining public order. Citizens want security and jobs, not experiments. That is why many of them quite rightly ask: should the opposition be tried, when it has shown neither political maturity nor governing ability? The experience of recent months has shown that those who shout the loudest do not necessarily know how to govern best. (Continued on page 4)

TODAY’S NOTE A democratic standard cannot be called such if it still keeps privileges standing for one side and obstacles for the other. Democracy is measured not by shouting and labels, but by equal rules for everyone. That is exactly what is missing. The election campaign is taking place under the influence of old apparatuses that have not changed in substance. Therefore the ordinary citizen feels that, regardless of the big words, the real standard remains the old one: privilege for the power, difficulty for the opponent. This must come to an end. Albania needs free and fair elections, not a repetition of old habits under new names.

Invitation to public debate : Xhon Megou, a friend and a familiar name to Albanian public opinion... Some questions for Mr. Tiran Shehu. Xhon Megou, a name now well known to Albanian public opinion, has expressed assessments of developments in our country, but also concerns about the path being followed. In an open debate, many issues linked to democracy, the media, elections, and the responsibility of political forces need to be clarified. Citizens deserve clear answers, not evasion. For this reason, some questions are raised for Mr. Tritan Shehu, which should be made public. (Continued on page 4)

On 10 March 1992, in the city of Shkodër, as well as in several other areas, citizens expressed strong dissatisfaction with the economic situation and with the way public institutions are being administered. More order, more justice, and less arbitrariness are demanded. In their statements they emphasize the need for an administration that serves the law and the citizen. (Continued on page 4)

. As it “rummages” through its ranks, it keeps bringing out, like crows’ chicks, the hysterical clatter of wanting to make the country’s future in the hands of a party that cannot even govern itself!

Për ciklin: VITRA E VIVE E P-SO MYSHTERINJTE E PD-së

Political vigour

ATSH