The Right to Information on Electoral Financing and Media

Training for Journalist: The Right to Information on Electoral Financing Entities

AIS as a promoter of Open Data Albania, with the wish in enhancing civil society-media partnership, held on May 9, 2015 in Tirana the training entitled: The Right to Information on Election Financing entities. Part of the Money, Governments and Politics project. Journalists and civil activists have an important role in the process of transparency of Election Financing, a right clearly determined by Constitution. The training aimed to enable media representatives and increase legal knowledge on electoral funding. During the event discussion raised problems encountered by legal experts, analysts, political and investigative journalists, on financing of political parties and candidates, the electoral law and electoral expenditure.

Program as follows:

▪ 09:30 – 10:00    Welcome & Registration on participants: Besjana HYSA Program Coordinator and Aurora SULCE Moderator.

▪ 10:00 – 11.00 Viktor GUMI, Legal Expert. Overview of Political Parties and candidates financed

Question and Comments regarding Legal predictions and general issues of entity financing

▪ 11:00 – 11:20    Olta BEGU, Analyst for Open Data Albania. Open Data about electoral source of funds. Illustrations from Electoral Spending Albania.

▪ 11:20 – 12:00    Questions and Discussions: The right to information on electoral financing entities. Law and Practice

▪ 12:00 – 12: 20    Aranita BRAHAJ – Transparency through Data, Novelty 2015 via MG&Politics program

▪ 12:20 – 12:40    Conclusions Aurora Sulce – Journalist role in fostering transparency, Olta Begu –Institutional competence in auditing and control

Data about registered journalists

  • Gender Ratio: 8 men, 22 women, 24 Media agencies represented.
  • 83% of participant were journalist with more than 7 years’ experience in media
  • 15 of participants works on Visual Media, 1 in Radio, 10 in newspapers, 3 on news agency and 1 in a press office.
  • 5 journalist were representatives of National Television
  • Registered participants representatives of Radio, TV and Public Information Agencies
  • Registered participants, journalists from newspaper of the two most important political parties, Rilindja Demokratike and Zëri i Popullit.

Spokesperson of the Central Election Commission was also present at the training with journalist

 


Training Modules:

OPEN DATA FOR ELECTORAL FINANCING

POLITICAL PARTIES FINANCING


Participants in the Training

NAME SURNAME MEDIA
Adriatik DOCI Gazeta SOT
Albana QIRJAKO RTV SCAN
Alma DEMIRAJ Top-Channel
Almarina GEGVATAJ ATSH
Anila HOXHAJ Top Channel
Anisa XHANI Gazeta “Tema”
Aristir LUMEZI Gazeta PANORAMA
Arlinda GJONAJ ATSH
Aurora SULCE Tv “Ora News”
Aurora MURA Zëri i Popullit
Bledar HOTI Gazeta SHQIP
Bledian KOKA News 24
Brahim SHIMA News 24
Darina TANUSHI Gazeta Shqiptare
Dashamir BICAKU A1 Report
Drilona HOXHAJ KQZ
Drita COKAJ RD
Elda PEPA TVSH
Entela DURAJ KosovaPress
Erald HOXHA ShqipëriaCom
Erion TODHE Tv Klan
Eriselda Martini Albanian Screen TV
FATION BINJAKU Gazeta Panorama
Fejzi BRAUSHI MAPO
Keti BANUSHI Vizionplus
Luis TANUSHI Dita
Luljeta PROGNI Illyria
Merita HAKLAJ ABC News
Rrapo MEHMETAJ
Suela TOPI Gazeta “Shekulli”
Violeta SHQALSI SCAN TV

Konkursi “Historia Ime e Pjesëmarrjes Elektronike”

“Kërkohen e-Qytetarë Aktiv!”

Konkursi Online “ Historia ime e e-Pjesëmarrjes” kërkon të mbledhi sa më shumë histori personale të qytetarëve të cilët kanë përdorur instrumentat e pjesëmarrjes elektronike të BE ose kombëtare për të influencuar politikë bërjen dhe për të bërë ndryshim në jetën e tyre dhe të të tjerëve. Ne duam të dëgjojmë nga ju ! Na tregoni rreth eksperiencës tuaj ( pozitive ose negative ) të përdorimit të instrumentave të e-Pjesëmarrjes dhe fitoni mundësinë për t’i ndarë personalisht me politikan të BE në Bruksel. Nuk ka rëndësi nëse jeni një aktivisti i shoqërisë civile  që i përdorni instrumentat dixhital çdo ditë apo sapo jeni njohur me e-Pjesëmarrjen dhe me të ashtuquajturën “politikë-bërje” nga kudo.

Na tregoni historinë tuaj në një ese të shkurtër ose video. Historia juaj do të shfaqet në një përmbledhje të historive dhe mund të fitojë një ftesë në konferencën “e-Pjesëmarrjen nga perspektiva e të qytetarëve” në Bruksel në dhjetor 2015.

Ky Aplikim është i hapur nga 7 May deri në 31 Gusht . Fituesit dp të informohen për rezultatin në mes të Shtatorit.

Rregullat e Konkurimit :

Çdo qytetar i BE dhe çdo qytetar nga e gjithë Europa në moshën nga 16-116 vjeç mund të konkurroj. Ju mund t’a paraqisni historinë tuaj ose në format të shkruar (një ese e shkurtër me 500 fjalë) ose një video 3 minutëshe (mund të jetë e ndërtuar në formën e një interviste duke ju regjistruar ju duke treguar eksperiencen ose dhe duke e inskenuar ngjarjen ). Historia juaj duhet të jetë e lidhur qartësisht me Pjesëmarrjen elektronike dhe duhet të keni përdorur instrumenta të Pjesëmarrjes elektronike për ta zgjidhur problemin ose arritur rezultatin e dëshiruar.  Duhet të tregohet në një formë interesante dhe përfshirëse. Pikë shtesë do të jepen historive që kanë përdoruar instrumentet e pjesëmarrjes elektronike në nivelin e BE.

Ju duhet ta dorëzoni historinë përpara 31 Korrikut duke përdoruar formen e aplikimit (https://tceurope.wufoo.com/forms/konkurs-historia-ime-e-epjesamarrjes/) në shqip.  Të gjitha esetë do të vlerësohen sipas kritereve të vlerësimit dhe fituesi nga Shqipëria do të zgjidhet dhe ftohet sëbashku me 11 qytetarë nga vendet e tjera të përfshira në program për të ndarë eksperincat e tyre në politikë-bërje në Bruksel.

Historia duhet të shkruhet dhe dërgohet në stil të lirë në formatin word ose pdf dhe duhet të mbuloj pikat e mëposhtme :

  • Pse? Cili ishte motivimi juaj ??
  • Cilin instruement të pjesëmarrjes elektronike keni përdorur?
  • Ishte një problem individuar apo një problem i përgjithshëm ? Sa njerëz u përfshinë dhe influencuan ?
  • Cili ishte rezultati ? Ishte impakti ? përfitimi individual apo më gjërë?
  • Ishte eksperienca juaj e parë e ktij lloj ?

Apliko këtu : https://tceurope.wufoo.com/forms/konkurs-historia-ime-e-epjesamarrjes/

Opening Up Concessionary Agreements, Vlora Prefecture and Municipality subject to accountability

Open data and articles published in Open Data Albania and Spending Data Albania portals have been (re)used by the media and public at circa 90% of information disclosed by AIS. Concessionary Contracts publication has encouraged the media to better dive into data of calls for tenders related to concessionary projects.

A typical case is the parking concessionary contract in the municipality of Vlora. This tendered contract made in November 2014 and signed on February 2, had passed without the public and media attention. The contract has a timeframe of fifteen years and has its effects on the citizens and tourists of the municipality of Vlora. After contract was disclosed in our Concessionary Register, citizens of Vlora expressed their discontent about the concession. The same discontent for the Municipality decision, was articulated in media even by the representatives of central government through the Head of Prefecture in Vlora, Mrs. Etjona HOXHA. The Prefecture claimed that was not notified on this contract, although according to the municipality declaration this contract was signed by its secretary. Thereby, the General Secretary of Prefecture Mr. Dritan HALILI was forced to resign from his duty. Currently, supreme State audit and public procurement agency are verifying if there is any abuse and violations of the law in granting the concession.

Media Impact-Concessionary Register

During March-April 2015,

The Concessionary Register introduced 8 more concessionary agreements or extracts of such agreements (amounting to a total of 48 agreements since January). The information published on the Concessionary Register has encouraged the media to better investigate into calls for tenders for concessionary projects. This applies particularly to the local media, which covers closely issues of public services and activities of the local government.

Albanian Institute of Science | Regjistri Koncensionar

Training with Media Representatives

Announcement: Training with Media Representatives

The Right of Information on Election Financing Entities

Distinguished Journalist,

Our organization AIS, promoter of Open Data Albania, with the wish on civil society – media partnership, will conduct the training on the topic: The Right of Information on Electoral Financing Entities. This activity will be organized in the framework of Money, Governments and Politics, a project of information, transparency and citizens’ participation.

The Right of Information on Electoral Financing is provided by the Constitution. Fulfillment of this right is closely connected with its quest. Journalist and civil activist have an important role in the transparency process of Electoral Financing. The training aim to enable media representatives, increase the legal culture and knowledge on the topic. Therefore we invite prominent journalists in reporting during the electoral process, and investigative journalist, to register by expressing their interest to be trained. Registration deadline: until 4 of May. Selected candidates will be notified about the participation:

Trainers will be experts of Information and Electoral Financing Rights. The training is one day, and it will be held in Tirana, on May 9, 2015. Activity is supported by USAID / Albania through ASSIST Impact.

Please make your registration according to this Form:

register_icon

For any detail contact Blerta Tuci, project coordinator at AIS.

Thank you in advance,

Aranita BRAHAJ

Executive Director

Dita Europiane e Pjesëmarrjes Elektronike / e-Participation Day, 7 Maj 2015

Instituti Shqiptar i Shkencave (AIS) , më datën 7 maj 2015 , ora 10,në ambjentet e Librarisë Tirana Times (pranë shkollës 11 Janari) , organizon një forum të hapur me të rinj, për Ditën Europiane të Pjesëmarrjes Elektronike /e-Participation Day. Ky event realizohet në kuadër të Programit eUROPA for Citizens në njëmbëdhjetë vende të Europës. AIS bëhet pjesë e këtij programi si partner i rrjetit Telecentre Europe, një rrjet organizatash me qendër në Bruksel, e fokusuar në çështje të edukimit dhe përfshirjes dixhitale të qytetarëve.

Programi i e-Participation Day:

  • Prezantim i Broshurës dhe Instrumenteve elektronik të Komisionit Europian për pjesëmarrje qytetare, e-Participation.
  • StartUp i konkursit My e-Participation Story.

Broshura është një publikim i përkthyer në dymbëdhjetë gjuhë evropiane, si dhe në gjuhën shqipe. Ajo përcjell informacion mbi instrumente që mundësojnë pjesëmarrjen qytetare për informim dhe reagim. Instrumenta të ndërtuara për të ndihmuar qytetarët të komunikojnë dhe të dëgjohen nga përfaqësuesit zgjedhur prej tyre

Instrumentat

Një prezantim i instrumenteve elektronik funksional në Bashkimin Europian si:

  • e-Peticioni i Parlamentit Europian
  • Dialogimi me një Anëtar të Parlamentit (MEP)
  • Konsultimi Publik i Komisionit Europian (Your Voice in Europe)
  • SOLVIT
  • Puzzled by Policy
  • Iniciativa e qytetarëve Europian.

Konkursi.

Titulli i Konkursit është My e-Participation Story. Pjesëmarrësit duhet që brenda datës 31 korrik 2015, të shkruajnë dhe postojnë në formë elektronike një histori personale të ndodhur gjatë udhëtimit apo qëndrimit në një nga vendet e BE. Historia nuk duhet të përmbajë më shumë se 500 fjalë dhe duhet të rrëfejë një problematikë të hasur, nëpërmjet përdorimit të teknologjisë së informacionit. Pjesëmarrës mund të jetë çdo qytetar. Fituesi merr titullin “e-Participation Ambassador” për Shqipërinë , si dhe fiton të drejtën e një udhëtimi me qëllim prezantimin e ese-së  së tij/saj në një event i cili do të mbahet në Bruksel në muajin Dhjetor.

USAID/Albania through Assist Impact supports AIS project: Money, Government & Politics

USAID / Albania and Assist Impact are supporting eight civil society projects to empower democracy. In a special ceremony held on 16 of April, was the signing of grant support agreements. One of the wining projects was that of our organization, called: Money, Government and Politics. The Executive Director Ms, Aranita BRAHAJ signed the agreement on behalf of AIS. Through this project is aimed the promotion of transparency and civic reaction, release of data on the assets declared by senior officials and judges, as well data on assets and public expenditure.

The Ambassador of United States of America in Tirana Mr, Donald LU present at the ceremony emphasized the value of civil society groups in Democracy. In his welcoming speech Ambassador Lu stated that: “The Albanian Government, local governments and private businesses should understand the value of civil society groups and take responsibility to financially support and encourage them. Without a strong civil society, no democracy can be really successful”

Assist Impact is implementing a three-year project for USAID / Albania, entitled “Human and Institutional Capacity Building”. The project aims to support non-governmental organizations, governmental agencies and business associations, in improving their skills and work.

As part of this project, Assist Impact, through a competitive process, has selected eight organizations from all over Albania. The goal of the grant is to increase the participation in decision-making, the role of the community and the accountability of public officials.

USAID+ASSISTIn the picture, the US Ambassador in Tirana Mr, Donald LU with grant beneficiaries.foto 1In the picture, the Ambassador Donald LU and the Executive Director of AIS Ms, Aranita BRAHAJ during the grant ceremony.foto 2In the picture Ms, Aranita BRAHAJ signing the grant agreement.foto 3

AIS participated at Personal Democracy Forum for Central and Eastern Europe

Albanian Institute of Science became part of one of the most important events in Europe dedicated to Technology for Democracy and Active Citizenship. Personal Democracy Forum took place in Poland between 16 and 17 of April.

The topic of this year My Country: Open, Digital, Civic, reflected the interest of exploring how society in different regions, are integrated into the digital age. States are under pressure by citizens for openness and transparency. The forum brought together representatives of non-governmental organizations, activists, public administration officials and journalists from more than twenty countries.

AIS team was represented by Besjana HYSA and Blerta TUCI. Blerta TUCI Project Coordinator of AIS was one of the main panel speakers and presented: Money, Government and Politics, a project for transparency, innovation and civic participation. The presentation prompted the interest of a wide audience with over two hundred participants from prestigious institutes in Europe and other continents.

Money, Government & Politics through the opening of data for decision makers, public transactions and concessions, was estimated as a model of inspiration for civil society in Central and Eastern Europe. Publications in Spending Data Albania were considered as consolidated cases of use of technology for Democracy and Civic Activism.

  • Personal Democracy Forum is an annual conference on how technology is changing politics, government and civic life which started in America in 2004, and took place in Poland for the first time in 2013. Since then, PDF POLAND CEE has become the biggest European event dedicated to technology, democracy and civic engagement.

 

Presentation link: https://prezi.com/6ovttsbsob83/money-governments-and-politics/#

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Money&Power: Publishes data about the assets, incomes, and expenditures declared by high level officials in politics and judiciary.

At the portal Open Spending Albania on the section Money and Power (One Stop Integrated Data Source) publishes data about the assets, incomes, and expenditures declared by high level officials in politics and judiciary. Such data were either declared in a certain year or before the public official took office. In any case, the respective documents contain the date in which it was submitted to the High Inspectorate of Declaration of Assets in Albania (HIDAA). Such declarations are made not only by the public officials themselves, but also by their family members, who are subject to declaration in accordance with the national legislation. Annual declarations contain information about the incomes of the respective year, properties gained during the declaring year, and expenditures, which according to the law, should be declared. The high public officials subject to such declaration include: the President of the Republic, Members of the Council of Ministers, and Mayors of main Municipalities, Members of Parliament, high-level Judges, Chief Prosecutor, and directors of independent institutions. The information they declare is published and made transparent in order to inform the public about the economic interests and assets of the high public official, who represent and govern the country. The data published under Money & Power are interlinked with those published under the Open Corporates Albania on business companies declared by individuals. The data for each individual includes the index number of the reference document submitted to the High Inspectorate for the Declaration of Assets in Albania (HIDAAA).