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| Klodiana Lala (middle); Mark Worth (left) and Arjan Dyrmishi |
The Award for Free Speech, the contribution to reporting on corruption and abuse with the state this year came to Tirana. The European Center for Whistleblower Rights (ECWR) honored the journalist of News 24, Klodiana Lala. She was selected among the journalists of all countries of Southeast Europe. Mark Worth, director of ECWR, assessed on behalf of the organization, the journalist's contribution, emphasizing that her work gives incredible sensation of admiration and appreciation.
Mark Worth quotes that "there are few people who with their own contribution make a better world, one of them is Klodiana Lala. ECWR has selected Klodiana Lala as the best investigative journalist in Southeast Europe, bringing thus in Albania the award for the "Free Speach" for her contribution to reporting on corruption and abuse of the state. This is one of the most prestigious award-winning prizes for journalism in the countries of Southeast Europe.Trying to tell the truth, without compromising, without compromising or politically influencing, in a society like that of Albania, is certainly one of the biggest challenges. But it is not incomprehensible. Klodiana Lala showed this to us, which has been working on the field for more than 15 years to detect crime events and its link to politics in Albania.
As one of the prominent journalists, without stopping by the endless hardships they face in a business day, with the frequent attacks on politics and crime, she is always on the ground without fearing.
"We've seen all the footage and we all know what happened. That's why Klodiana is here. Frustrated by this event, Klodiana reported in January that a political party has manipulated the 2017 election in co-operation with organized crime groups by buying the votes, threatening voters and promising illegal gains. Her investigations for BIRN have shown about the tapping of senior officials and former parliamentarians involved in buying votes, corruption and other criminal activities. This gives me an incredible sensation of admiration and appreciation as I introduce you this year's winner of the free speech award."
Klodiana was honored with several awards in Albania and abroad, a few months ago she was honored with the award "Reporter of 2018". But she never forgets to share her prize with colleagues in the field, with those who support her with information or even with the media directors she works for, the support she has received in her work.
"The situation is this: if a journalist publishes an event, a phenomenon or a scandal, the first thing that will happened to him or her is that someone will try to buy her or him, offering money to close her or him mouthe. If they do not manage to buy her or him. then they will try to intimidate with different forms, even through serious threats, if they do not manage even in this way, then they will strive to link politically in an ugly way the journalist to one party or another. This happens not only with me, but with all the colleagues who, through many years, have invested all their efforts to make a better society." Klodiana Lala said in her breaf speech.