MFRR partners are calling on the Albanian government to support the reform of the public service broadcaster Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) through lawful, democratic and institutional means, in line with democratic norms and EU standards.
The undersigned organisations of the SafeJournalists Network, partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) today stress that recent amendments to Albania’s Criminal Code, though positive, must be strengthened to ensure full decriminalisation of defamation.
Thirty media freedom and civil society organisations – including the SafeJournalists Network, MFRR partners, RSF and leading Albanian groups – have urged the Albanian Parliament to drop proposals that would severely restrict journalists’ access.
The International Press Institute (IPI) was today joined by media freedom and journalist organisations in sending an open letter to Albanian authorities to highlight growing concerns over the continued obstruction of journalistic activity related to the recent police blockade of building hosting Focus Media Group in Tirana and the non compliance with a recent court decision. Read the full letter in English and Albanian below.
MFRR condemns police blockade on Focus Media Group. News24 off air, 230 jobs at risk. Albania must act now to protect journalists’ rights.
The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) and the SafeJournalists Network (SJN) today raise alarm over numerous incidents of intimidation and obstruction faced by journalists covering the Albanian parliamentary elections.
We welcome the decision of the Constitutional Court of Albania, which overturned the lower-court orders allowing the search and seizure of journalist Elton Qyno’s equipment, reinforcing the importance of protecting journalistic sources and freedom of expression in line with international standards.
We express serious concern regarding the Albanian Council of Ministers’ decision on March 6, 2025, to suspend nationwide access to the TikTok platform for 12 months.
The recent angry attack by the Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama against a journalist has brought the constant pressure and intimidation that the power in Albania exerts on the media and media professionals back under the spotlight.
The MFRR partners today join our partners in the Safe Journalists Network and Reporters Without Borders to express our concerns over the recent actions taken by Albania’s Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) and their decision to seize journalist Elton Qyno’s equipment and to pressure him to reveal his sources.
