Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama on Friday sharply criticized the management of the state broadcaster, Albanian Radio and Television (RTSH), calling it the “most miserable service in the world” and saying the public media outlet needs comprehensive reform.
Rama said public funds would not be allocated to RTSH until reforms are implemented, adding that all options remain on the table, including closure, privatization, or partnerships. He criticized the broadcaster’s long-term operations, stating that RTSH has underperformed even compared with smaller commercial stations with limited budgets. Rama said he has not monitored RTSH programming since 1990 but had previously given management opportunities to improve, without success.
The Association of Albanian Journalists responded, warning that the prime minister’s rhetoric stigmatizes public media and proposing drastic measures could seriously threaten media pluralism and editorial independence. The group called for in-depth reforms carried out through dialogue with experts and civil society, in line with European standards for media freedom.
The association emphasized that RTSH is a public interest institution, tasked with providing impartial news, cultural and educational content, and equal access for all citizens. It added that extreme measures, such as closure or privatization, would seriously undermine the public’s right to information.