On January 6, 2025, the Albanian Radio and Television (RTSH) announced the opening of the competition for the position of General Director, marking a critical opportunity to strengthen the institution’s role as an independent public broadcaster.
The selection process, as outlined in the RTSH Statute, includes several critical steps to guarantee fairness. Candidates must submit their applications within 10 days of the announcement, following which their eligibility is assessed based on criteria such as professional expertise, relevant qualifications, and impartiality. Eligible candidates then present their platforms to the Governing Council, highlighting their vision and strategic plans for RTSH. A candidate must secure three-fifths of the votes from all members of the Governing Council in the first round to be elected. If no candidate achieves this threshold, up to five voting rounds are conducted, with a majority vote being sufficient in later rounds. As a last resort, sortition (drawing lots) may be used to finalize the decision.
The RTSH Statute sets strict eligibility requirements to ensure the selection of a qualified and impartial General Director. These include demonstrated expertise in media management or related fields, relevant academic qualifications, and independence from recent political affiliations. These safeguards are crucial to maintaining RTSH’s integrity and ensuring its leadership remains unbiased and committed to its public service mission.
The ongoing process represents an opportunity for RTSH to rebuild public trust and demonstrate its commitment to good governance. Transparency, adherence to the RTSH Statute, and public accountability will be key to ensuring the credibility of the election and the strengthening of RTSH as a true public service broadcaster.