TV stations demand access to court hearings

Several major Albanian TV stations have asked the country’s judicial council to stop courts from blocking cameras at public hearings.

Top Channel, TV Klan, Vizion Plus, Report TV, News24, A2 CNN and Klan News say journalists face daily barriers when covering trials.

They say court rules allow the opening part of public hearings to be filmed, but judges often reject media requests or rely on old decisions to keep cameras out.

The complaint comes as Albania’s special anti-corruption court is hearing high-profile cases involving senior political figures.

The TV stations say the limits damage the public’s right to information.

They also want journalists to be allowed to record audio and read public court files.