Albania / Europe & Central Asia

  

Unidentified attackers open fire on office of Albanian broadcaster Top Channel, kill security guard

Berlin, March 28, 2023—Albanian authorities must quickly and thoroughly investigate the recent attack on the privately owned TV station Top Channel and ensure those responsible are brought to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. Shortly after midnight on Monday, March 27, unidentified people fired 20 to 25 bullets from a vehicle as they…

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Antela Lika

Albanian TV crew threatened at gunpoint, camera operator assaulted

Berlin, February 16, 2023 — Albanian authorities should swiftly and thoroughly investigate the recent attack on a TV crew for the privately owned broadcaster Top Channel, hold the perpetrators to account, and ensure that reporters covering illegal mining and other environmental issues can work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On February 8,…

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Albanian journalist Elvis Hila attacked over coverage of court case

Berlin, January 30, 2023 — Albanian authorities must conduct a swift and thorough investigation into the recent attack on reporter Elvis Hila and his wife, ensure their safety, and hold the perpetrators to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On January 25, an unidentified man called Hila, a reporter for the privately owned…

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CPJ joint mission finds press freedom concerns in Kosovo and Albania

Between November 15 and 18, 2022, CPJ joined a delegation of press freedom groups on missions to Kosovo and Albania to meet with members of the media and officials.  In Kosovo, the delegation found that political interference in press coverage and physical safety are the main concerns for journalists. In Albania, the delegation found that the climate for free…

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Edmond Hoxhaj and Isa Myzyraj

Albanian journalists reporting on prosecutor’s vetting intimidated, personal data breached

On April 23, 2022, the wife of Albanian journalist Edmond Hoxhaj received a notification from the government’s official e-Albania website that a notary public named Agron Bajri had downloaded personal information about their family, according to a report by Safejournalists.net, a regional website tracking violence against journalists, and Hoxhaj, who corresponded with CPJ via email….

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Albanian riot police attack journalists covering demonstration

Berlin, January 18, 2022 — Albanian authorities should swiftly and thoroughly investigate police attacks on journalists covering a recent demonstration, hold those responsible to account, and ensure that reporters can cover events of public interest without fear of injury, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On January 8, in Tirana, the capital, hundreds of…

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Albanian authorities interrogate publisher of Lapsi.al, demand outlet turn over confidential information

Berlin, May 5, 2021 – Albanian authorities should immediately drop their investigation into Lapsi.al and ensure that all outlets can protect their confidential sources, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 16, the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime in the capital, Tirana, ordered the independent news website Lapsi.al to hand over…

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The Albanian parliament is seen in Tirana on April 28, 2017. The parliament recently passed laws that could restrict online news outlets. (Reuters/Florion Goga)

Albanian media legislation threatens to restrict online news outlets

Berlin, December 19, 2019 — Albanian President Ilir Meta should reject proposed legislation that would restrict news websites and stifle the free press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama speaks to the media outside a polling station near Tirana on June 30. A press freedom mission raised several issues with Rama last month, including unresolved attacks on journalists and draconian laws. (Reuters/Florion Goga)

Albania’s journalists tread fine line when covering organized crime, politics

The intersection of organized crime, corruption and politics in Albania is impacting the country’s press. During a joint mission by a coalition of press freedom organizations to Tirana in June, CPJ Europe Correspondent Attila Mong spoke with journalists about challenges including threats, attacks, political interference, and legal harassment.

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CPJ and representatives from other free expression organizations meet with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama on June 20, 2019, in Tirana. (Flutura Kusari)

Press freedom situation worsening in Albania, joint mission finds

Press freedom in Albania is deteriorating, the Committee to Protect Journalists and six other international press freedom and freedom of expression organizations said in a statement released yesterday.

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