The OSCE Presence in Albania supports Exchange Workshop for journalists covering parliamentary affairs and Assembly Communications Team in Vienna

From 1 to 3 September, the OSCE Presence in Albania supported the organization of an exchange workshop in Vienna for journalists covering parliamentary affairs in Albania. The delegation consisted of nearly a dozen of journalists from different media outlets in Albania plus representatives from the Communications and Media Service of the Albanian Assembly.

During the exchange visit, the group had the opportunity to meet with the OSCE Representative of the Freedom of Media, Teresa Ribeiro, representatives of the Communication Department and News desk from the Austrian Parliament, and participated in an exchange workshop with representatives of the Austrian Presseclub Concordia.

These events offered the Albanian journalists the opportunity to discuss challenges they face in their daily work with their Austrian counterparts. It enabled them to exchange experiences on journalistic practices and parliamentary coverage in the dissemination of information to the public. Moreover, it introduced them to the work of the Representative on the Freedom of Media, whose role is to serve as an early warning function to ensure the safety of journalists and support the OSCE’s participating States abide by their commitments to freedom of expression and a free media.

The delegation rounded out its activities meeting the Albanian Ambassador to the Permanent Mission to the OSCE and other International Organizations in Vienna. Ambassador Eglantina Gjermeni, a former Albanian Assembly Member, shared insights and perspectives on Albania’s role in the peace and security issues of the day and its position within global organizations.

These activities and the exchange of views and best practices will help in strengthening Albania’s ties to its European press and intergovernmental counterparts. In turn, this effort will help promote greater transparency and accountability of the Albanian Assembly through the improved reporting and efforts of journalists covering the proceedings of the legislative body and its committees.

This event was organized under the framework of the “Support to Parliament and Civic Education in Albania” project, supported by the OSCE Presence in Albania and the Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation (SDC).