On 29^th March, the Council of Europe in cooperation with the Albanian Media Institute and the Albanian Media Council organized the final event on the revised Journalistic Code of Ethics as well as the Ethical Guidelines for Online Media. The latter were prepared with the best domestic and international expertise following a thorough consultation process with all the relevant groups of interest. The initiative represents a timely effort of making adjustments in accordance with international practices and norms as well as extending the guidelines of the Code to cover the new forms of media expression that the Internet has created.

The media representatives largely appreciated and endorsed the revised Code and the Guidelines emphasizing that the task is not finished until the main media in the country, their editorial desks and staff fully commit to the Code abiding by its principles to maintain public trust, truthfulness, fairness, integrity, independence and accountability.

The Journalistic Code provides for the framework and standards to the Albanian Media Council (AMC), which has started to function as the voluntary self-regulation mechanism that will ensure that the media meet its responsibilities. AMC is the platform for all journalists who support the idea that the use of the freedom of the media should be guided by the principles of truthfulness and accuracy.

AMC will give primary consideration to freedom of expression and public interest by providing the public with an independent forum for resolving complaints involving newspapers, magazines, websites and other digital media. The Council’s work will also involve promoting media freedom and the highest professional standards. 

The initiative took place under the join European Union/Council of Europe programme "Reinforcing Judicial Expertise on Freedom of Expression and the Media in South-East Europe (JUFREX)". 

This event was implemented with the financial assistance of the European Union and the Council of Europe. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union.