GJKKO ignores calls from international organizations, regulation restricting media enters into force today

Starting today, the new GJKKO Regulation comes into force, which censors the media and closes the doors to journalists from exercising their duty of information.

Conceived by its commander-in-chief Erion Bani, the regulation was drafted and approved after no prior consultation. 

The regulation stipulates that journalists who want to attend court hearings may or may not be accredited, but once inside the courtroom, neither filming nor photography will be allowed, and broadcasts require appropriate authorization from the panel.

A journalist who wishes to attend the hearing should not have a phone or any other electronic device with them.

SafeJournalists, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and other media freedom organizations have opposed the new provisions of the GJKKO, arguing that restrictions on accreditation, the use of phones and electronic devices, as well as rules on filming, could make it difficult for journalists to access and report.

The EFJ has called the regulation a "serious setback" for judicial transparency and media freedom, while calling for a postponement of its entry into force and consultation with the journalist community.

SafeJournalists, similarly, has requested the suspension of the contested provisions and their review.

The GJKKO Regulation stipulates that:

Public hearings are open to the public until the hall is full. Priority for seats is given to the parties to the trial, family members, and then accredited media.

Accreditation is not a journalistic license nor an authorization to inform the public. Even non-accredited journalists can attend public hearings, depending on the location.

Accredited journalists may attend hearings without prior authorization, but filming, photography, audio recordings, and broadcasts require authorization from the trial panel, with a request at least 24 hours in advance.

Even filming and interviews in the GJKKO lobby require authorization.

Appropriate attire and quiet demeanor are required in the hall; phones and electronic devices are not permitted, with some exceptions for procedural functions.

The application for accreditation is reviewed within 5 days; in the absence of a written response, it is considered approved. Refusal, suspension or revocation may be appealed to the Administrative Court.

Security measures are adjusted according to the level of risk, while sensitive security data remains for internal use.

The regulation is expected to be reviewed at least every two years or whenever legal, technological or security changes require it.