The EBU, in cooperation with the OSCE Presence in Albania, has shared expertise and best practices at a two day debate on broadcast coverage of the work of parliaments and parliamentary channels.

Around 30 participants including MPs, public broadcasters, media representatives and experts, alongside the DG of Member RTSH, participated in the debate. 

The debate focused on the importance of transparency and accountability in the work of Parliaments; best practice for the coverage of proceedings; modern tools for engaging citizens; web streaming; parliamentary channels; the presence of on-line media; funding and dilemmas around ensuring independent editorial decisions.

EBU Head of Member Relations CEE Radka Betcheva presented an overview of parliamentary services in Europe - a survey conducted by the EBU's Media Intelligence Service and initiated by the EBU Partnership Programme in 2016.

She said: "This honest and lively debate will help make the best decisions for parliamentary coverage in Albania. The aim was to bring together all parties and discuss the existing dilemmas and try to find the best solution through looking at different European models, best practices and lessons learned.

"The most important thing is to ensure that parliament and public service media, as two democratic institutions, are transparent and accountable and provide credible, pluralistic and independent information to citizens." 

The Albanian Parliament is currently launching web streaming and establishing a newsroom aimed at assisting the work of  journalists in interviewing MPs and reporting from the Parliament. In addition the Parliament is implementing a project with the European Commission to install cameras at committee meetings and increase the transparency of deliberations.