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Executive Summary 3 Introduction 4 Methodology and Terminology 5 General Information 6

Monitoring Organizations 6 Monitoring Structure ______ 6 Monitoring List and Period 7

TELEVISION 8 RADIO 18 NEWSPAPER 22 Media Coverage of Women Politicians in the Electoral Campaign 28

2

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• Since the first monitoring phase (13-27 May 2005), there have been several positive changes.

• News media TVA and Koha have both made progress in balancing their bias in

reporting about the Government and the Socialist Party (PS).

• TVSH still produces biased reporting, actively supporting the Government and the PS, but has made some positive changes since the previous monitoring period.

• According to NDI data, Public Radio continues to support the SP and the

Government.

• TV stations TVA, TVSH Klan, Koha, and Vision have broadcasted special programs on the different political parties’ activities, during or right after news programs. Although the intent may be to balance their reporting, their coverage continues to present an advantage to certain parties over others. These statistics are not presented in our graphs because the weight of “special programs” differs from regularly scheduled news programs.

• Reporting about LSI is increasing in most media sources.

• There is a group of media which favourably devotes time and space to small political

parties, among them Radio + 2 (covering the Green Party) and Panorama (covering the Social Democratic Party (PSD).

• While the media has increased their coverage of the incumbent government, some of

that time is still being diverted to cover the PS.

• Women political candidates are rarely and insufficiently covered in the media.

This project was made possible through support provided by the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs through the Democracy and Governance in Albania project which is supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under Cooperative Agreement No. 182-A-00-04-00104-00. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID. Funding for this program was also provided by the British Embassy in Tirana. The ACAC is very pleased to be working together with the British Embassy on this worthwhile initiative and welcomes the British Embassy's firm support for our efforts to encourage an independent and impartial media environment within Albania.

3

INTRODUCTION

While legitimate elections are an essential part of building a democracy, the democratic process extends well beyond Election Day. Democratic governance requires an active and informed citizenry. The media is often referred to as the Fourth Estate, indicating its important role in society. In a democracy, we look to the press to act as a watchdog of events and decisions, so as to keep citizens informed. But this role can only be fulfilled if media coverage follows key principles and practices. Media monitoring can help journalists report in a more accurate, precise, and balanced way. Media monitoring is a tool that promotes citizen’s trust in the media’s reporting. Wherever the media exists, it is useful to follow their work and then to analyze media’s relationship with different subjects. Media monitoring is a research discipline that includes analytical elements. Its aim is to help media in creating balance while reporting and to identify professional mistakes. During the observation period, the monitoring team will gather data that reflect the genuine feelings of citizen who watch, listen, or read certain media. The following report is based on the media monitoring project which occurred just prior to the formal election period, from May 28, 2005 until June 10, 2005. Principles of good journalism There are key principles that are widely accepted as to what constitutes “good journalism.” Among them are:

• Respect for ethical journalistic practices • Balanced reporting in terms of time, space, and context of information • Differentiation between government and ruling party officials • Not using government resources for the promotion of specific candidates and

platforms • Avoid allocating excessive coverage to government activities to the exclusion of other

political actors • Provide access to all groups so they may respond to criticism and comments • Guide and encourage politicians to respond to citizens’ concerns and interests • Never promote hate speech • Behave as a public watchdog

Biased and unprofessional reporting will not influence decided voters. It can potentially influence undecided voters because poor reporting distorts perception and that distortion of truth may be all that citizens have to base their decisions. Rather than imposing opinions, the media’s role is to inform citizens about relevant events so that they can make an informed choice. This type of reporting is balanced, precise, correct and fair. It offers all parties equal opportunities to express their opinions and ideas. The government has the obligation to not impede the media from fulfilling these functions, as well as to facilitate pluralism in the media so as to expose the public to the widest variety of information sources.

4

METHODOLOGY AND TERMINOLOGY

Media monitoring uses two sets of criteria—qualitative and quantitative. Both sets of criteria are highly relevant to present a comprehensive picture of media reporting in an election campaign. Qualitative Analysis In qualitative research the main elements are context and presentation. Context is the timing and setting of the information itself. For example, if political party A speaks in a positive context about itself or in a negative context about some other subject, a media is not partial just because it broadcasts the information. What matters is whether a media broadcasts information with positive or negative context on those subjects in a selective manner over a period of time such that a distinct pattern develops. Presentation is the extent to which events are reported factually (X happened) versus the amount of editorial comment or influence on those events.1 For example, particular words can have a positive or negative connotation. The tone of a journalist during news coverage can also influence perception. In addition, facial expressions and body language (for television journalists) may influence the way information is perceived. Quantitative Analysis Quantitative analysis assesses the time or space in which a political party or politician is mentioned, spoken of, quoted, or appears in a particular medium. Total Time/Space: the amount of time that broadcast media (television and radio) print media (newspapers and journals) devote to reporting on a certain political subject or activity. Quotation is the time or space given to a journalist to retell someone else’s words. Sound bite (or printed remark for print media): the amount of time or space that media give political parties for expressing their own political opinions and represents part of the total time. This category covers direct interviews and announcements from political parties or other political subjects. Object Time: time during which subject X speaks about politician Y, so that politician Y is the “object” of the content. This covers cases in which journalists mention political subjects in their articles or when others talk about political subjects. Source: where media get their information, such as news agencies, other media, as well as various press statements, reports, and other announcements.

1 You will not find that every graph cites analysis about this type of reporting. If there are not major problems in this area, we shall not present them.

5

GENERAL INFORMATION

Monitoring organizations The Albanian Coalition Against Corruption (ACAC) media monitoring is being conducted by four organizations: Albanian Coalition Against Corruption (ACAC) The ACAC was created in 2001 to reduce corruption by strengthening the role of civil society and working in coordination with government. It aims to increase awareness about the causes and costs of corruption, and channel to advocate for reforms to combat corruption. Institute for Polls and Opinions (ISO) Founded in 2000, the Institute for Polls and Opinions is an independent survey research center that provides services to private and public sector organizations. ISO periodically measures electronic media ratings and legibility of print media in Albania. Along with the permanent staff, ISO employs 25 external experts, and has a panel of 4000 people across 36 districts. Institute for Development Research and Alternatives (IDRA) IDRA Research is the social and marketing research survey unit at the Institute for Development Research and Alternatives (IDRA). It offers its services to public and private clients. They have a network of more than 150 interviewers, covering all the regions of Albania and Kosovo. Center for Transparency and Free Information (CTFI) The Center’s aim is to increase public awareness of the cruciality of continuing the democratization process in Albanian society. The Center also seeks to inform the public about the enforcement of national policies in the fight against corruption. Among the Center’s was a “Media for Transparency” held from May through December of 2003. Monitoring Structure The overall project is being conducted under the umbrella of the ACAC. The project is headed by a Steering Commitee composed of all four organizations which first defined the precise list of media to be monitored in this project. Media were chosen according to the results of research on the media influence in Albania. Along with the three coordinators, there are 23 monitors involved in the project, one main coordinator, and other staff such as technicians, a finance team, and IT managers. The staff was selected carefully and screened for any potential political bias. Monitors rotate regularly within each of the three groups (television, radio, and newspapers) in order to get as may diverse opinions as possible. Television - headed by ISO, and includes TVSH, Top Channel, Klan, Koha, TVA, Vizion +, News 24, Alsat, Teuta, and Egnatia. Radio - headed by IDRA, and includes Radio Tirana, Top Albania Radio, Radio RASH, and Radio +2. Newspaper - headed by CTFI, and includes Shekulli, Panorama, Koha Jone, Gazeta Shqiptare, Ballkan, and Korrieri.

6

Monitoring Periods Television - 15:00 to 24:00. During that period of time, only news and political advertisements were monitored. Radio - 07:00 to 10:00 and 15:00 to 18:00. Only news and political advertising were monitored. Newspapers - all of political items were monitored without any limits.

7

TELEVISIONS

ALSAT

Alsat TV showed visible improvement in balanced coverage since the first monitoring phase. At that time there was more time allocation for SP plus the Government and the reporting was often negative. Recently, there has been a better time balance, with more positive reporting on the SP, the government, and the DP. In the sound bite chart, Sali Berisha has been given greater time and more positive reporting. Meanwhile Nano has less time, with an equal portion of negative and positive reporting.

A

Total Time Context

PD31%

Qeveria 12% PS

26%

era6%

PSD2%

LZHK2%

LSI10%

PDR4%

PR4%

PBDNJ3%

Te tj

ALSAT

5 36

22

47

1

10

25

6 61

51

80

10

36

62

3

23

107

1 3 3

41

4 2

58

1

9

LSI

LZHK

OPOZITA PA

PAD

PBDN

JPBL PD

PDR

PDS

PR PSPSD

Qever

ia

- + 0

A

Politician Soundbites Politician Context

ALSAT

2677111129

174

974

9

SALI BERI

A

FATOS NANO

ILIR M

ETA

FATMIR

MEDIU

VANGJEL D

ULE

PASKAL MILO

GENC POLLO

DASHAMIR SHEHI

109

3

25

4

20

2

6

27

5

13

3

32

32

20

3

21

3

DASHAM

IR SH

EHI

FATMIR

MED

IU

FATOS N

ANO

GENC P

OLLO

ILIR

META

PASKAL M

ILO

SALI B

ERISH

A

VANGJE

L DULE

- + 0

366

SH

8

KLAN

Klan’s time allocation for the DP is 29% and 30% for the SP. Compared to the first monitoring phase, there has been a 4% increase for the SP and a 4% decrease for the DP, with the reporting mainly positive. SMI receives 13%, a 5% increase with generally positively reporting. Sali Berisha coverage is reported more positive than Nano, who has been receiving more negative coverage. Advertisements have shown that the 142 SP spots are filled first, followed by the 60 SMI spots, and lastly the 2 RP spots. Klan TV has begun broadcasting special programs for the SP, which if this included in the total timing would increase SP’s time to 35%.

A

Total Time Context

A

KLAN

PS30%

PD29%

LSI13%

Qeveria 6%

PR4%

PDS3%

LZHK3%

PBDNJ3%

PDK3%

D2% Te tjera

5%

PS

175

73

2

116

16

65

23

8 8

24 21

6

131

20 15

36

19

167

202929

112 1 1

9 4 4 2

69

137 7

18

74

718

LSI

LZHK

OPOZITA PA

PAD

PBDN

JPBK

PBKDPBL PD

PDKPDR

PDS

PR PSPSD

Qever

ia

- + 0

Politician Soundbites Politician Context

KLAN

164192209349471

661669

1130

16

SALI BE

SHA

FATOS NANO

ILIR M

E

FATMIR M

EDIU

PASKAL MIL

O

VANGJEL DULE

NIKOLLË

LESI

DASHAMIR S

HEHI

AGRON DUKA

GENC POLL

O

243526

2 2 2

57

8

40

59

19

54

9

31

15

26

59

94

8

15 149 7

25

6

AGRON D

UKA 

DASHAM

IR SH

EHI

FATMIR

MEDIU

FATOS N

ANO

GENC P

OLLO

ILIR

META

NIK

OLLË L

ESI

PASKAL M

ILO

SALI B

ERISH

A

VANGJE

L DULE

- + 0

TARI

9

NEWS 24

Despite the fact that during the first monitoring period SP received the most coverage from News 24, the ratio of time allotted to the SP and the government to the DP has not significantly changed. Reporting is mainly positive with almost the same proportional distribution among the SP, DP and the Government. Time given to SP and DP leaders in sound bites is almost balanced, with a tendency to negatively cover Nano. News 24 has exclusively broadcasted 75 SP TV spots.

A

Total Time Context

A

NEWS 24

8 5 6

55

5

81

2

2425 25

7 52

73 2

86

5

30

7 4

102

19

35

14

22

62

71 4

70

5

17

26

124

3

49

LSI

LZHK

OPOZIT

A PA

PBDN

JPBK

PBKDPBL PD

PDKPDR

PDSPR PS

PSD

Qev

eria

- + 0

PS30%

PD27%

Qeveria 18%

LSI6%

PDR5%

PR2%

PSD3%

LZHK5%

PDS1%

tjera2%

Te

Politician Soundbites Politician Context

NEWS 24

38162324

422

663686

012

SALI BSHA

FATOS NANO

GENC POLLO

ILIR M

ETA

DASHAMIR SHEHI

FATMIR M

EDIU

PASKAL MILO

VANGJEL D

ULE

30013

13

5

38

4

42

13

4

50

1917

5 6

49

14

1

40

4 4 42

32

1

AGRON D

UKA 

DASHAM

IR SH

EHI

FATMIR

MEDIU

FATOS N

ANO

GENC P

OLLO

ILIR

META

NIK

OLLË L

ESI

PASKAL M

ILO

SALI B

ERISH

A

VANGJE

L DULE

- + 0

ERI

10

TOP CHANNEL

The SP and the government have received a bigger time share and more positive reporting than the DP in Top Channel broadcasting, but receive even more negative reporting than the DP. However, compared to the first monitoring phase, the ratio of total SP time plus government as compared to the DP has become more balanced (from 1.7 to 1.3). On the sound bites chart, Nano is ranks first, followed by Berisha; meanwhile, both receive negative reporting, showing that Top Channel is very critical. This contrasts with the fact that Ilir Meta has received generally positive reporting, and that SMI’s time has increased from 6% to 9%. Regarding the political spots in Top Channel, SP is ranked first with 73 spots, followed by SMI with 34 and the RP with only 1.

. A

Total Time Context

A

PS25%

PD21%

Qeveria 12%

PDR5%

LZHK6%

PSD4%

PR4%

S4%

DNJ3%

tjera6%

LSI9%

PD PB Te

TOP CH

2 36

39

88

33

50

31

712 10

15

2

67

11

23

30

19

75

16

39

1510

3 4 2 2

51

74 4

56

6

17

LSI

LZHK

OPO

ZITA PA

PAD

PBDN

JPBL PD

PDKPDR

PDSPR PS

PSD

Qev

eria

- + 0

Politician Soundbites Politician Context Politikanëve

TOP CH

143241

320343392450

634

1410

611

FATOSNO

SALI BERISHA

ILIR M

ETA

PASKAL MILO

FATMIR

MEDIU

DASHAMIR SHEHI

GENC POLLO

VANGJEL D

ULE

NIKOLLË LESI

1

3

40

29

12

16

25

13

22

8

18

26

9

3 2

12

46

4

16

2

DASHAM

IR SH

EHI

FATMIR

MEDIU

FATOS N

ANO

GENC P

OLLO

ILIR

META

NIK

OLLË L

ESI

PASKAL M

ILO

SALI B

ERISH

A

VANGJE

L DULE

- + 0 N

A

11

TVSH The reporting from TV station TVSH has not been balanced, however it is now doing better than in the first monitoring phase. The time ratio among the SP, the government and the DP has changed since the first monitoring phase. Previously, the DP had one fourth of the SP and government time, whereas during this phase it has one half. TVSH remains positive towards the SP, the government, and the DP, but had become slightly more negative in its coverage of the DP of late. TVSH has made clear efforts to balance its reporting, but it still is half way to its goal. Regarding sound bites, Fatos Nano has 1.5 times more than Berisha, but, compared to the first monitoring phase when such discrepancy was four times more, the changes are optimistic. SMI has begun to receive greater broadcasting time allocation (3%), but still remains far behind the allocation by other stations. Quite frequently, TVSH broadcasts specials not included in the news, which affects the time allocation for parties. The DP’s coverage in specials has increased from 24% to 28%, but this does not coincide with NDI’s monitoring methodology in regards to the number of audience attending the specials and the news content.

A

Total Time Context

A

TVSH

167

76

1

65

3

2031

2

3522 17

3

117

10

30 33

18

204

40

112

1017

91 5 9 4 4 3

72

311

21 25

48

LSI

LZHK

OM

ON

IA

OPOZIT

A PAPAD

PBDN

JPBL PD

PDKPDR

PDSPR PS

PSD

Qev

eria

- + 0

PS32%

PD24%

Qeveria 15%

LZHK3%

PSD4%

PDS4%

PA4%

LSI3%

PDR3%

PBDNJ2%

Te tjera6%

Politician Soundbites Politician Context

5029

TVSH

482333314474975175231

36

7

39

3

1316

58

24

1510

31

55

17

25 3

31

36 4

26

2

AGRON D

UKA 

DASHAM

IR SH

EHI

FATMIR

MEDIU

FATOS N

ANO

GENC P

OLLO

ILIR

META

NIK

OLLË L

ESI

PASKAL M

ILO

SALI B

ERISH

A

VANGJE

L DULE

- + 0

1128

3370

FATOS NA

I BERISHA

PASKAL MILO

VANGJEL D

ULE

GENC POLLO

ILIR M

ETA

FATMIR

MEDIU

NIKOLLË LESI

DASHAMIR SHEHI

AGRON DUKA

NO

SAL

12

EGNATIA

Compared to the first monitoring phase, Egnatia TV increased the total for SP by 6% (which now stands at 37), and decreased the time for DP by 5% (currently 27%). The positive reporting for SP in general has increased since the first monitoring phase. Regarding the sound bite, Berisha is facing negative reporting whereas Nano has begun to receive more positive coverage. These are clear indicators of a shift in editorial preference.

A

Total Time Context

A

EGNATIA

Politician Soundbites Politician Context

EGANATIA

PS37%

LSI3%

LZHK3%PBDNJ

PDR2%

L2% Te tjera

5%

PSD5%

Qeveria 13%

PD27%

PB

5 3 3 4

23

3 5 3 3 5 81

52

5 6

146

1015

7 72

93 3 6

126

29 29 28

10

4452

LSI

LZHK

OMON

IA

OPOZITA PA

PBDN

JPBL PD

PDKPDR

PDS

PR PSPSD

Qever

ia

- + 0

3%

1797

3 3

1820

32

3

14

33 3 3 3

6 6

3

23

AGRON D

UKA 

DASHAM

IR SH

EHI

FATMIR

MEDIU

FATOS N

ANO

GENC P

OLLO

ILIR

META

NIK

OLLË L

ESI

PASKAL M

ILO

SALI B

ERISH

A

VANGJE

L DULE

- + 0

39144

204222339366

462

1209

SALI

ISHA

FATOS NANO

VANGJEL D

ULE

NIKOLL

Ë LESI

DASHAMIR SHEHI

FATMIR M

EDIU

GENC POLLO

PASKAL MILO

ILIR M

ETA

BER

13

KOHA TV

Koha TV has demonstrated a huge change from the first monitoring phase. Regarding the space it has allocated 30% to SP, 18% to the Government and 19% to DP; if compared to the first monitoring phase Government had 35%, SP 27% and DP 23%. Nano is been given about 1.5 times more in sound bites than Berisha , whereas reporting is for both positive, quite visible for the latter mentioned. Koha TV has broadcasted spots only for SP (92). An important feature is been noticed as Koha TV broadcasts specials not included at the news , which mainly are DP ones and as it can be observed the SP time with no specials is increase notably (36% to 41%), whereas DP time decreased from 39% to 29%. Specials do not make the focus of our news and “primetime” time; however we have measured and reflected the difference in the above figures.

A

Total Time Context

A

PS41%

PD29%

Qeveria 15%

PSD2%

PA2%

PDR4%

K1% 1% Te tjera

5%

PD PR KOHA

84

101

29

3 1 211

6 5 4

116

8

25

311

110

12

41

8 5 2 1 1 4

2126

43

1420

LSI

LZHK

OPOZITA PA

PAD

PBDN

JPBL PD

PDKPDR

PDSPR PS

PSD

Qever

ia

- + 0

Politicians Soundibites Politicians Context

4108

KOHA

29

1

18

81

9

48

21

28

3

52

573 1 4

AGRON

DU

KA 

DASHAM

IR S

HEH

I

FATMIR

MED

IU

FATOS N

ANO

GENC P

OLLO

ILIR

META

NIK

OLLË L

ESI

PASKAL M

ILO

SALI B

ERISH

A

VANGJE

L DULE

- + 0

1132122133197487

767

2816

FATOS NO

SALI BERISHA

AGRON DUKA

GENC POLLO

NIKOLLË LESI

VANGJEL D

ULE

FATMIR

MEDIU

PASKAL MILO

DASHAMIR SHEHI

NA

14

TEUTA Teuta showed more balance in total timing compared to the first monitoring phase, thus giving 41% of the time to DP, 48% SP plus Government and all reporting was positive. In this reporting period there was an increase of positive reporting about SP and Government. Regarding the sound bite the DP leader was allocated more time and positive reporting but if compared to the first monitoring phase is at lower degree.

A

Total Time Context

A

TEUTA

Politician Soundbites Politician Context

TEUTA

PD41%

Qev eria 9%

1%PDR1%

LSI4%

LZHK3% Te tjera

2%

PS39%

PR

6 8

34

43

2

24

6 7 62

117

2 4 28

121

1

38

93

19

2

15

1

12

LSI

LZHK PA

PBDN

JPD

PDKPDR

PDSPR PS

PSD

Qever

ia

- + 0

14

364650517278

186

330

619

04

SALI BERI

A

FATOS NANO

ILIR M

ETA

AGRON DUKA

NIKOLLË

LESI

FATMIR M

EDIU

GENC POLL

O

VANGJEL DULE

DASHAMIR S

HEHI

PASKAL MIL

O

13

22

3

15

6

32

14

3 3 32

25

2

56

9

AGRON D

UKA 

DASH

AMIR

SH

EHI

FATMIR

MEDIU

FATOS NAN

O

GENC P

OLLO

ILIR

META

NIK

OLLË L

ESI

PASKAL MIL

O

SALI BERIS

HA

VANGJE

L DULE

- + 0

SH

15

TVA

TVA gave 31% of the airtime to the DP and 32% to the SP and the government, reporting positively for both parties and showing more balance than before. Such a considerable change is good, especially taking into account the first monitoring phase. The greater time in sound bite is allocated to Berisha being reported mainly positively. During this phase TVA has broadcasted 159 advertisements for SP; frequent specials of DP and such trend can be noted at the chart in which DP shifts from 31% with no specials to 36% with specials

A

Total Time Context

A

TVA

Politician Soundbites Politician Context

TVA

PD31%

PS23%

PR5%

LSI5%

5%LZHK

6%PDS6%

Qeveria 9%

4%jera

5%PSD Te t

11

2

15

4 2

67

4 4

46

4

3028

58

17

3

30

11

4

113

52 54

24

99

3339

127

2 1

37

2

41

12

LSI

LZHK

OPO

ZITA PA

PAD

PBDN

JPBL PD

PDR

PDS

PR PSPSD

Qev

eria

- + 0

PDR

14117451452

643784

3395

4105

SALI BE

A

FATOS N

ANO

PASKAL MILO

GENC POLLO

FATMIR M

EDIU

ILIR M

ETA

DASHAMIR SHEHI

VANGJEL D

ULE

AGRON DUKA

2 4

24

26

39

1

19 21

48

30

16

38

58

6

13

2 4 5

AGRON D

UKA 

DASHAM

IR SH

EHI

FATMIR

MEDIU

FATOS N

ANO

GENC P

OLLO

ILIR

META

PASKAL M

ILO

SALI B

ERISH

A

VANGJE

L DULE

- + 0

899

RISH

16

VIZION +

During this period Vizion + has lessened the difference between SP and DP, so DP has 25% and SP 29%. SMI’s time is increased with 3% thus reaching at 7%. Reporting is mainly positive for the position and opposition. Sali Berisha received greater time in sound bites, mainly receiving positive reporting, whereas Nano is portrayed as balanced. Broadcasted ads in Vizion + are 3 for SP, 8 for Green Albanian Party and 7 for SMI. Vizion + has also aired specials for SP and as it is mentioned before this is different from the “primetime” time.

A

Koha Totale Konteksti

A

.

VIZION+

Sinkronet e Politikanëve Kontekstet e Politikanëve

VIZION+

PS29%

PD25%

Qeveria 10%

PDS5%

PDR5%

LSI7%

PR4%

LZHK4%

PBDNJ4%

PSD2% Te tjera

5%

2

52

2

2521

1

92

1319

83

3

3136

25

103

15

71

92 3 6

125 8

15

64

3238

116

26

14 12

83

67

LSI

LZHK

OMON

IA

OPOZITA PA

PAD

PBDN

JPBK

PBL PDPDK

PDRPDS

PR PSPSD

Qev

eria

- + 0

94

254292

374384461

1132

1317

SALI BSHA

FATOS N

ANO

PASKAL MILO

GENC POLLO

ILIR M

ETA

VANGJEL D

ULE

FATMIR M

EDIU

DASHAMIR SHEHI

NIKOLLË LESI

2

42

9

29

1

9

15

23

17

3

30

45

16

24

10

1 14 4

42

AGRON D

UKA 

DASHAM

IR SH

EHI

FATMIR

MEDIU

FATOS N

ANO

GENC P

OLLO

ILIR

META

NIK

OLLË L

ESI

PASKAL M

ILO

SALI B

ERISH

A

VANGJE

L DULE

- + 0

474

ERI

17

RADIO

RADIO TIRANA Radio Tirana’s coverage was dominated by coverage of the SP and the Government, the same situation as in the first monitoring phase. Time allocation for SP and DP continues to be balanced (respectively 22% and 24%) but including the government’s time makes 60% of the total. If compared to the first monitoring phase (pre-election campaign) it can be stated that there is no big changes with regard to political parties coverage. It is to be noted that in this phase SMI shares 3% of the space meanwhile in the first phase such figure was scarcely 1%. During the monitoring phase 60% of the information about the incumbent government received positive reporting, whereas such reporting for DP covered only 37.5%. Fatos Nano still has the advantage at Radio Tirana with 1.5 times more airtime than Sali Berisha. However, this amount has actually declined compared to the first monitoring phase, when Nano had 2.5 times more airtime than Berisha. In general Radio Tirana remains not balanced in the coverage of election campaign for political parties allocating more space and portraying more positively the incumbent government and the SP.

Total Time Context

RADIO TIRANA

Qeveria 38%

PD24%

PS22%

PAD1%

PDR2%

LSI3%

PSD3%

LZHK1%

Te tjera6%

3 5

17 18

2

36

7 9

27

3

47

7 5 3

47

7

84

18

12

17 6

10

61

2

10 9 7

48

3

19

LSI

LZHK

OPO

ZITA PA

PAD

PBDN

JPD

PDK

PDR

PDS

PR PSPSD

Qev

eria

- + 0

TOP ALBANIA RADIO

Politician Soundbites Politician Context

RADIO TIRANA

20

3

12

25

13

45

5 6

25

31

41 1 2

13

3

9

2 2

17

2

1623808791127130138

1293

1940

FATOS NANO

SALI BERIS

HA

ILIR M

ETA

GENC POLL

O

SKËNDER GJIN

USHI

NIKOLLË

LESI

FATMIR M

EDIU KAHEHI

HIU

NERITAN CE

DASHAMIR S

EQEREM SPA

DASHAM

I

EQEREM

S

FATMIRR S

HEH

I

PAHIU

MEDIU

FATOS N

ANO

GENC P

OLLO

ILIR

META

LEKA ZO

GU

NERIT

AN C

EKA

NIK

OLLË L

ESI

SALI B

ERISH

A

SKËN

DER GJIN

USHI

- + 0

18

RADIO TOPALBANIA

During this phase, Top Albania Radio allocated 20% of the airtime to the government, 32% to the SP and 26% to the DP. If compared to the first monitoring phase there is an increase of 14% of airtime for SP. This change resulted by reducing the government’s airtime with 15%. However the total airtime for the government and the SP has not changed compared to the first monitoring phase. The airtime for DP remains in the same quotas. The coverage for SP and DP is relatively balanced respectively 63% and 62% of sequences in positive light. It’s worth noting that both parties and the government are portrayed in positive light. Regarding the coverage airtime of politicians Nano received 25% more than Berisha but from performance point of view both of them received positive reporting. During this phase SP has presented 9 spots. A

Koha Totale Konteksti

RADIO TOPALBANIA

25

1

13

24

12

18

3

14

42

39

31

55

4

36

42 1 2 1 1

10

1 1

10 9

LSI

LZHK

OPO

ZITA

PBDN

JPBK

PBL PDPDR PR PS

PSD

Qev

eria

- + 0

PS32%

PD26%

Qev eria 20%

OPOZITA3%

LSI9%

PBDNJ3%

LZHK2%

te tjera5%

Sinkronet e Politikanëve Konteksti i Politikanëve

RADIO TOPALBANIA

1327424346

263

827

1021

1

13

7

1 1

22

1

10

2

18

21

6

1

5

ARJAN

STAROVA

DASHAM

IR SH

EHI

FATOS N

ANO

GENC P

OLLO

ILIR

META

LEKA ZO

GU

SALI B

ERISH

A

SKËN

DER GJIN

USHI

FATOS NANO

SALI BERISHA

ILIR M

ETA

SKËNDER GJIN

USHI

DASHAMIR SHEHI

LEKA ZOGU

ARJAN STAROVA

NC POLLO

GE

- + 0

19

RADIO RASH

Rash Radio has increased the general airtime allocated to DP with 8% thus totaling in 30%. Government airtime has suffered a decrease from 28% to 16%. SP has still 26% of the total airtime but summing it up with the government one makes 42% of the total one. The sequential reporting of SP and DP are almost the same and mainly positive whereas for the government is being reported visibly positive (in 70% of the time). As in the first monitoring phase SP and the government are visibly in the lead. This radio is still not broadcasting short statements from various politicians of Albanian political class thus not “interviewing them in the field”.

A

Total Time Context

PD

RADIO RASH

Politician Soundbites Politician Context

RADIO RASH

30%PD

PS26%

Qeveria 16%

LSI10%

S4%

LZHK4%

PBDNJ4%

Te tjera6%

2 1

14

19

3

13

76

2

34

3

8

31

2

19

12

4 3

35

1 1 1 1

23

1

5

LSI

LZHK

OPO

ZITA

PBDNJ

PDPD

KPD

RPD

S PR PSPSD

Qev

eria

- + 0

14

10

3

14

3

10

2

20

22

4

10

DASHAM

IR SH

EHI

FATOS N

ANO

GENC P

OLLO

ILIR

META

LEKA ZO

GU

SALI B

ERISH

A

SKËN

DER GJIN

USHI

16232642

141

271

335

ALI BERISHA

FATOS NANO

ILIR M

ETA

GENC POLLO

SKËNDER GJIN

USHI

DASHAMIR SHEHI

LEKA ZOGU

S

- + 0

20

RADIO +2

The Government’s airtime covered 34% of the total time (there is a decrease of 6% compared to the first monitoring phase). The DP airtime has been reduced to 17%, marking a 8% decrease compared to the first phase. It’s worth noting that this radio station has allocated 19% of the total time to the Albanian Green Party, which is an interesting fact as in the first phase the latter mentioned party had less than 1% of the total time. Regarding the reporting both political parties received positive reporting whereas for the government this is not the case as it received more negative sequences than positive ones; in the first phase government received twice the amount of positive sequential reporting than negative ones. However the amount of positive and negative sequences for the government is quite balanced. The Green Party has no negative sequences in this radio station’s coverage. Regarding the politicians’ total airtime, Nano has 3 times more than Berisha. Once considering the reporting it can be stated that the number of negative sequences is higher for Nano; meanwhile Berisha is portrayed in a more positive light.

A

Total Time Context

GAZETAVE

RADIO +2

Qeveria 34%

BLERTE19%

PD17%

PS16%

LSI6%

PR2%

LZHP

1%K1%

BDNJ

Te tjera4%

3 2

7

11

1

34

21

9

42

26

2 14 5

20

1

27

21

9

31

4

36

2 3

42

12

BLERTELSI

LZHK

OPO

ZITA

PBDNJ

PBLPD

PDK

PDR

PDS PR PS

PSD

Qev

eria

- + 0

Politician Soundbites Politician Context

RADIO +2

1121320323652

1026

FATOS NANO

SALI BERISHA

ILIR M

ETA

FATMIR

MEDIU

NIKOLLË

LESI

DASHAMIR SHEHI

ARJAN STA

ROVA

SKËNDER GJIN

USHI

LEKA ZOGU

NA

19

2 21

23

11

5

12

11

2

18

21

13

OVA

SHAM

IR SH

EHI

FATMIR

MEDIU

FATOS N

ANO

ILIR

META

LEKA ZO

GU

NARD

NDOKA

NIK

OLLË L

ESI

SALI B

ERISH

A

SKËN

DER GJIN

USHI

165

380

ARJAN

STAR

DARD NDOKA

- + 0

21

NEWSPAPER

BALLKAN

Ballkan newspaper’s coverage is almost balanced for the two main political parties different from the first phase when the tendency was to report SP in a favorable light. The space shared for the two parties is almost the same and the performance received is balanced. SDP covers the third position in this newspaper which shares 12% of the space, leaving behind the SMI with 6%. SDP received fully positive performance. The fifth party is NDP, followed by HRUP, NMD whereas the other ones share insignificant space. Even at politician’s level, the chairman of SDP Skender Gjinushi is rated as second receiving fully positive performance followed by Genc Pollo as the third one receiving the same performance.

A

Total Time Context

A Ballkan

BALLKAN

Politician Soundbites Politician Context Politikanëve

BALLKAN

PS37%

PD35%

PSD12%

PDR5%

LSI6%

PBDNJ3% LZHK

2%

32

24

28

10

5

2

28

5

32

8

21

LSI

LZHK

PBDN

JPD

PDR PSPSD

- + 0

120151318

519604708

10191039

LI BERISHA

SKËNDER GJIN

USHI

GENC POLLO

FATOS NANO

ILIR M

ETA

AGRON DUKA

LEKA ZOGU

DASHAMIR SHEHI

1

6 5

12

3 3

5

1

54

AGRON

DU

KA 

DASH

AMIR

SH

EHI

FATOS N

ANO

GENC P

OLLO

ILIR

META

LEKA ZO

GU

SALI BERIS

HA

SKËN

DER G

JIN

USHI

- +SA

22

KORRIERI

At Korrieri newspaper there is a visible shifting from being a supporter of the opposition to the SP side but not changing preferences for the SMI. SP and Nano are being increased in the space share compared to the two weeks before, and are mainly reported positively whereas DP and Berisha have less space and visibly reported negatively. Other parties share insignificant space. A

Total Time Context

A

KORIERI

Politician Soundbites Politician Context

KORRIERI

PS45%

PD22%

LSI18%

R2%PDS

2%

Qeveria 7%

tjera4%

PD Te

4

18

1

14

1 1

6

1 1

9

2 21

23

21

LSI

LZHK

PBDN

JPD

PDR

PDS

PR PSPSD

Qev

eria

- + 0

KORRIERI

3611

1

4

1

5

1 1

12

1

4

1

5

1

DASH

AMIR

SHEH

I

FATMIR

MED

IU

FATOS N

ANO

GENC P

OLLO

ILIR

META

PASKAL MIL

O

SALI B

ERISH

A

VANGJE

L DULE

- +

92104125140169

1353

906

FATO

NO

SALI BERISHA

ILIR M

ETA

PASKAL MILO

VANGJEL D

ULE

GENC POLLO

DASHAMIR SHEHI

FATMIR M

EDIU

S NA

23

SHEKULLI

Shekulli continues to be highly critical of the government. Generally the coverage among political parties in power and the opposition was relatively balanced. Share of space: SP 33%, Government 11% (of the total), DP 33% and SMI 15%. The other small parties share insignificant space. The fourth party is the Green Albanian Party sharing 12% thus 5% more than two weeks before. The performance is relatively balanced between SP and DP; the coverage of SMI was highly positive, the Green Party fully positive whereas the government largely negative. The performance between the main politicians Nano and Berisha was markedly different from that of the two weeks before in balance related terms even though tendency to report slightly negatively for SP chair Nano was clearly visible. A

Total Time Context

A

SHEKULLI

Politician Soundbites Politician Context

SHEKULLI

7188145

1911

444

SALI BE

A

FATOS NANO

ILIR M

ETA

FATMIR M

EDIU

DASHAMIR SHEHI

GENC POLLO

43224

RISH

16

5

16

1 1

15

1

9

1

6

1 1

3

18

DASHAM

IR SH

EHI

FATMIR

MED

IU

FATOS N

ANO

GENC P

OLLO

ILIR

META

SALI B

ERISH

A

- + 0

PS33%

PD23%

LSI15%

BLERTE12%

Qev eria 11%

OPOZITA2%

K1%

Te tjera3%

LZH

7

1 2

24

21

1

12

7

13

3 2 1

29

1 1

31

2 1

6

1 2

8

1 2

12

4

BLERTELSI

LZHK

OPO

ZITA PA

PBDN

JPBL PD

PDR PR PS

PSD

Qev

eria

- + 0

24

KOHA JONË

Koha Jone newspaper remains critical towards the incumbent government and SP as reported in the first monitoring phase. DP covers the main part mainly portrayed in a positive light whereas SP rendered as 2nd mainly portrayed in a negative light. The same ratio is applied even when it comes to two chairmen of the parties, Berisha and Nano. The government shares a greater space than two weeks before and mainly portrayed negatively. The SMI remains the third party whereas the other parties share insignificant space.

A

Politician Soundbites Politician Context

Total Time Context

KOHA JONE

KOHA JONE

PDOP

5%33%

PS27%

LSI16%

PSD1%PDK

2%

Qeveria 10%

LZHK2%

OZITA

Te tjera3%

6

3

35

11

15

1

5

1 2

37

4 31 2 1

6

9

2 1 1 1 1 2 1

9

1919

10

18

LSI

LZHK

OPO

ZITA PA

PAD

PBDN

JPD

PDKPDR

PDSPR PS

PSD

Qev

eria

- + 0

1884209210

1000

1859

2452

9

5

78

2

5

1 1

14

12

1 1

4

1

FATOS N

ANO

GENC P

OLLO

ILIR

META

NIK

OLLË L

ESI

PASKAL MIL

O

SALI B

ERISH

A

VANGJE

L DULE

- + 0SALI B

ERISHA

FATOS NANO

ILIR M

ETA

VANGJEL D

ULE

PASKAL MILO

GENC POLLO

NIKOLL

Ë LESI

25

PANORAMA

Panorama’s coverage is mainly balanced among two main parties with a slight tendency to support SMI. The allocated space for the two parties is quite close, but SMI has received more space compared to the first phase which increased from 18% to 20%. Albanian National Movement for Development is the fourth party whereas the other parties share insignificant space. SP received balanced reporting, SMI mainly positive and the government mainly negative. For Sali Berisha there is a negative increase in tone compared to Fatos Nano, whereas the space is almost equal. Ilir Meta is receiving mainly positive performance. A

Total Time Context

A

PANORAMA

Politician Soundbites Politician Context

PANORAMA

PS30%

PD24%

LSI20%

LZHK10%

Qeveria 4%

PDR3%

OPOZITA3%

PSD2% Te tjera

3%

6

1

25

1

39

9

24

9

13

19

2 2 24

14

21

4

1

24

6

12

15

3

39

12

LSI

LZHK

OPOZIT

A PAPAD

PBDN

JPD

PDR

PDS

PR PSPSD

Qev

eria

- + 0

55143210

491600

1758

79

FATOSNO

SALI BERISHA

ILIR M

ETA

GENC POLLO

DASHAMIR SHEHI

FATMIR M

EDIU

VANGJEL D

ULE

PASKAL MILO

19

2145

14

4

17

12

12

2

11

6

1

3

1

3

5

1

8

1

DASHAM

IR S

HEH

I

FATMIR

MEDIU

FATOS N

ANO

GENC P

OLLO

ILIR

META

PASKAL M

ILO

SALI B

ERISH

A

VANGJE

L DULE

NA

- + 0

26

GAZETA SHQIPTARE

Gazeta Shqiptare has increased the tendency to present SP in a favorable light and it has not changed much the allocation of space share for the two main parties. SP has been portrayed in a positive light while DP mainly the opposite, especially when compared to the situation of the two weeks before when such a difference was less noticeable for the two main parties. Nano is portrayed positively while Berisha the opposite.

A

Total Time Context

PS42%

PD26%

LSI9%

Qeveria 5%

LZHK3%

OPOZITA8%

R3%

tjera4%

PD Te SHQIPTARE

25

31

14

14

5

1

14

13

1

52

355

2 31

31

41 2

7

25

17

LSI

LZHK

OPO

ZITA

PAD

PBDN

JPD

PDK

PDR

PDS

PR PSPSD

Qev

eria

- + 0

A

Politician Soundbites Politician Context

SHQIPTARE

50565665184

413

2265

FATOS NA

SALI BERISHA

ILIR M

ETA

GENC POLLO

VANGJEL D

ULE

PASKAL MILO

DASHAMIR SHEHI

NIKOLL

Ë LESI

2440

9

2

15

1

18

23

1 1

7

3

1 1

5

1

DASHAM

IR SH

EHI

FATOS N

ANO

GENC P

OLLO

ILIR

META

NIK

OLLË L

ESI

PASKAL M

ILO

SALI B

ERISH

A

VANGJE

L DULE

NO

- + 0

27

Media Coverage of Women Politicians in the Electoral Campaign

In trying to provide an accurate analysis of the time devoted to women and men during coverage, the monitors designed a special method. On the graphs in this section we can see compare the list of five men and women who got the most significant time in television, radio and newspapers as separate categories. We chose this method because if we would present all men and women in graphs and then compare them, result would be influenced by number of men in politics and in candidates list, and it would not show the impact of media reporting about women’s opinions. If we see the total time dedicated to women in politics, we will see an imbalance in the time allotted to men and women. In analyzing the total time dedicated by media for the five top women in politics we see that these women have 2% of the total time, while the men have 98%. If we see the first politicians in total time and sound bites we will not note any woman. In newspaper and radio coverage monitored, 95% of the coverage is dedicated to men, with only 5% for women. We do not know if the blame for not giving the right place to women falls to the media or to politics as usual in Albania. Men Time (sek) FATOS NANO 46703SALI BERISHA 46608ALFRED MOISIU 13377ILIR META 9657PASKAL MILO 6525MEN (total) 122870

Women Time NATASHA PACO 1792MONIKA KRYEMADHI 215MAJLINDA KETA 204ERMELINDA MEKSI 176MIMI KODHELI 134WOMEN (total) 2521

53757,95%

2918,5%

MenWomen

122870, 98%

2521, 2%

MenWomen

16460, 95%

811, 5%

MEN Women

RADIO PAPER TV

28