The Constitutional Court has decided to pass to a plenary session the request of the Journalists' Association of Albania, which opposes the provisions of the regulation of the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime related to the work of the media.
The decision paves the way for a substantive examination of the claims of journalists, who argue that the rules imposed by the GJKKO limit the practice of the profession, access to information, and the transparency of judicial processes.
The association appealed to the Constitutional Court in September, requesting the suspension and then repeal of provisions that, according to it, violate media freedom and the public's right to be informed.
At the center of the objections are the restrictions on the use of mobile phones and audio recordings during court hearings, as well as the accreditation procedures for journalists covering the activities of the Special Court.
According to the AGSH's claims, these measures create obstacles to direct reporting and documentation of developments in court, making it difficult to convey information to the public.
The contested regulation entered into force on September 1, 2026, and sparked reactions from media representatives, who called for the restrictions to be reviewed.
The transfer of the case to a plenary session does not mean that the Constitutional Court has accepted the journalists' claims or that the regulation has been repealed. The Constitutional Court will review the arguments to determine whether the contested provisions are in accordance with the Constitution.
The final decision is expected to clarify the boundaries between the rules for the administration of court hearings and the guarantee of media freedom, transparency and citizens' right to information.
