Media group condemns fine of Albanian TV station for video of official asking woman to strip

NGO slams fine of Albania TV for video of official

TIRANA, Albania — A media organization is condemning as exorbitant the €400,000 ($491,000) fine imposed on an Albanian TV station that aired video of a government officials asking a job applicant to take her clothes off.

The court found Top Channel TV station liable for damages because the video, showing Culture, Youth, Tourism and Sports Minister Ylli Pango asking a woman to strip to see whether she would be good for the job, had been obtained illegally.

Pango was fired immediately. He sued the station.

The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organization on Wednesday condemned the “exorbitant fine” as violating the “goal of providing information that is in the public interest.”

Albania’s fledgling independent press frequently complains of politically motivated attacks.

Online:

www.seemo.org