TIRANA, September 20 – The Union of Albanian Journalists (UAJ) has reacted after the decision of the prosecutor’s office of Tirana to ban the publication in the media of data published by hackers who attacked the TIMS system and other internal networks of institutions in Albania.
In its statement released on Tuesday, it is said that beyond the prosecutor’s decision, a situation is created that puts the Albanian editor of the entire multimedia spectrum in a difficult situation. It is further emphasized that the decision and the threatening warning to launch investigations constitute a threat to the freedom of information and create a strong premise for censorship and self-censorship in the informational reality.
“The decision of the prosecutor and the forwarding of the official notification also by the State Police creates a new moment between the right and freedom of publication and information as well as the obligation to respect a decision of the prosecution body,” said the statement.
The UAJ is against such a practice. This prosecutor’s decision is not related to a case or a specific aspect of security, but tends to hold accountable those journalists and media that use the information poured out publicly from the “faucets” or sabotaged computers of the state.
UAJ supports the law-enforcement institutions in the country and asks them that, in the conditions of such an alarming situation, which was not possible before, they search and hold accountable those institutions and individuals who have the obligation to preserve and protect documentation or official information in the country. /Argumentum.al
