In Albania, both state and independent authorities have expressed their commitment to increasing the transparency of public administration and access to information. Prime Minister Edi Rama and Commissioner Besnik Dervishi made these comments at the 15th International Conference of Information Commissioners, currently taking place in Tirana.
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During the conference, civil society representatives emphasized that increasing transparency requires, first and foremost, the political will of the government and the independence of the commissioners responsible for the right to information.
While hosting the 15th International Conference of Information Commissioners in Albania, the Albanian Commissioner for the Right to Information and Personal Data Protection stated that societies and technology are rapidly evolving, facilitating access to information while complicating data protection. However, he stressed that transparency and the right to information must prevail, necessitating cooperation between academics, agencies, and the media with the commissioner.
“In Albania, as in many parts of the world, we know the frustration of citizens when they encounter bureaucracy, when the requested information is not provided in time, or when journalists need it instantly to create their news. Despite these challenges, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to promoting the transparency of public authorities while respecting the legal framework and ethical principles,” said Mr. Dervishi.
The conference, attended by 210 delegates and guests, including representatives from international organizations, civil society, media, and academia, also featured participation via the internet by European Court of Human Rights Judge Darian Pavli. He noted that Albania has made progress in the past decade regarding the right to information and increasing public sector transparency, but many challenges remain.
“One of the most important challenges is the cultural change within public administration. Culture at every level is not something that can change overnight, nor is the development of instincts and practices of democratic transparency,” said Mr. Pavli.
Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed the government's commitment to fostering a culture of transparency within public institutions through public consultations and the exposure of information as an effective tool against misinformation and disinformation.
“It’s not just about having laws, but also about implementing them. The gap between drafting laws and their implementation is a challenge for many participants here at the conference,” said Mr. Rama.
Flutura Kusari, a representative from the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom, chaired the session on the role of civil society in promoting transparency and freedom of information. She emphasized that several prerequisites must be met for effective collaboration between commissioners and civil society.
“First, political will is necessary. Transparency and accountability of public authorities are matters of political will. A country can have beautiful laws and excellent work manuals, but if there is no will to be accountable to the public, then access to information becomes difficult for the public. In these conditions, it becomes very difficult for commissioners and agencies to assist. No agency or commissioner has the capacity to serve as a complaint office for every problematic case,” said Ms. Kusari.
She also stressed the importance of the political independence of commissioners, especially from ruling parties, to ensure they serve the public and not politicians or interest groups.
“Commissioners must be equipped with sufficient resources and well-prepared working groups that believe in transparency, know the laws and standards, and are engaged with civil society and the media, even when criticized by them. The doors of commissioners and agencies must always be open to everyone,” added Ms. Kusari.
Journalists in Albania have expressed concern over limited access to official information, important documents for their reporting, and the inability to closely follow institutional activities, as institutions often send pre-prepared video materials and texts from their offices.
The European Commission's Progress Report on Albania states, among other things, that there has been no improvement concerning verbal and physical attacks, denigrating campaigns, and lawsuits against journalists.
The government is preparing a roadmap to address issues in chapters 23 and 24 of the EU negotiation process, which are of great importance for media, laws, fundamental rights, and other areas.