September 30, 2005

Guests:      Mr. Shkumbin AHMETXHEKAJ, Journalist, RTV 21

                Ms. Blerta DALLOSHI, Journalist, KTV

                Ms. Lirie HAJDARI, Journalist, Bota Sat daily newspaper

                Mr. Perparim ISUFI, Senior Writer, Zeri daily newspaper

Judicial Watch met with a delegation of journalists from Kosovo at the invitation of the U.S. Department of State’s Institute of International Education.  The International Visitor Project, “Media Coverage of the Courtroom,” was designed to provide an overview of the interaction of law and the media in American society and the media’s role in assuring transparency and accountability from those who hold a public trust.       

Judicial Watch was asked to discuss its role as a government watchdog.  President Tom Fitton discussed Judicial Watch’s commitment to uncover and prosecute government corruption by use of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), legal action, and media exposure. 

The importance of state and federal open records and “sunshine laws” in maintaining government accountability was emphasized, with the acknowledgment that such laws can only exist in a free and open society.