Other threats to journalists, Ergi Hasku, 27/02/2024, Tirana

Tirana •︎ 05/03/2024

Other threats to journalists, Ergi Hasku, 27/02/2024, Tirana

Translations: Tirana 

  • Case info

  • Personal info

  • Regional center
    Tirana
  • Gender
    Male
  • Victim(s) name
    Egi Hasku

  • Media outlet

  • Name of the media outlet
    RTSH
  • Type of media platform
    Radio
    Printed Media
    Online Media
  • Source of information about the incident
    https://balkaninsight.com/2024/03/05/albanian-public-broadcaster-fires-programme-director-for-social-media-post/

  • Incident Data

  • Date of incident
    27.02.2024
  • City
    Tirana
  • Perpetrator(s)
    Known (suspected)
  • Attacked by
    Authorities - individuals
  • Type of incident
    life_threat

  • Action by the authorities

  • Action taken by the journalists' association

  • Was journalist's association informed by the journalists directly?
    Yes

Albanian public broadcaster RTSH dismissed Ergi Hasku, the program director, for “violating the ethical rules” of the television station. Hasku was terminated after posting on social media, describing his show, ‘Një natë sa një jetë’ (‘A Night As Long As a Life’), as “the only program with values”.

The official dismissal document dated 27.02.2024, which the Safe Journalists network has reviewed, stated: “The employee Ergi Hasku, who has the duties of a director in the production department, posted on his social network a post that damages the reputation of RTSH by belittling the values ​​of the many programs that RTSH makes.”

Hasku informed BIRN that he had been employed by the public broadcaster for a month and a half before his immediate dismissal, which came without prior warning. Hasku has declared his intention to contest the dismissal legally, stating, “I will pursue it legally.”

This incident is not isolated; the public broadcaster RTSH has previously faced criticism over allegedly unfair dismissals. The pattern of such dismissals raises concerns about the broadcaster’s commitment to ethical standards and fair employment practices.

https://balkaninsight.com/2024/03/05/albanian-public-broadcaster-fires-programme-director-for-social-media-post/