Journalists Under Siege: The Battle for Media Freedom in Albania

ALERT! The media landscape in Albania is under siege, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. In just over a week, three separate incidents have left journalists battered, bruised, and threatened. This is not just an attack on individuals; it’s an assault on democracy itself. Let’s dive into the chaos and see what’s really going on.

ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2025, journalist Edon Kuçi and a cameraman from the investigative TV show Piranjat were attacked and verbally threatened with kidnapping by Sinan Idrizi, the biggest shareholder of Air Albania and president of FC Flamurtari, while they were reporting at the Selman Stërmasi stadium in Tirana. The video footage shows a physical escalation of the situation when Refik Halili, president of FC Tirana, intervened by forcibly seizing Kuçi’s phone in an attempt to interrupt him from carrying out his journalistic duties.

THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT! On September 11, 2025, journalist Lorena Resulaj and cameraman Nertil Mataj were physically assaulted while on duty at a bar in Tirana on Islam Alla Street. The bar owner allegedly threatened and punched both media workers, after they refused to leave while reporting. Police later arrested the suspect, shortly after the attack.

AND IT GETS WORSE! On September 5, 2025, journalists Domenika Bajraktari and Enkel Elezi of the investigative TV programme STOP were attacked in Kamëz while gathering information at the Kamëz-Vorë General Directorate of Property Tax on a story requested by citizens who had legal issues with property ownership and land divisions. Their reporting was interrupted by a violent assault by an individual, which prevented them from filming their report. The perpetrator, who was arrested by the police, hit Bajrakatari twice on her back with his phone, while the local Cadastre Director watched without intervening. The cameraman was forcibly removed from the premises while filming, resulting in damage to the camera.

THIS IS A CRISIS! These attacks occur at a time when the national public broadcaster, RTSH, is undergoing a dire financial crisis. Following complaints from several contributors who had not been paid for at least four months, the newly appointed head of RTSH, Eni Vasili, admitted the gravity of the financial situation for the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN): She blamed the previous management for the current crisis.

THE NUMBERS DON’T LIE! Alfred Peza, Vasili’s predecessor and former politician, abruptly fired around 150 employees during his time at RTSH. This resulted in €1.8 million of debt, due to numerous lawsuits around unfair dismissal cases. The total debt for RTSH is €8 million in liabilities, due to the previous team’s mismanagement. However, this is not only a financial matter but also a reflection of structural weaknesses affecting Albania’s public media sector. There is a recurring lack of transparency within editorial teams, and questions regarding the lack of payment for these workers are met with silence.



THE SAFEJOURNALISTS NETWORK HAS SPOKEN! IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: “The recent violent attacks on Albanian journalists raise cause for concern amidst a broader, troubling landscape for journalism. While the police intervened quickly in two cases, the larger issue persists. The police have not yet taken action on the attacks against Piranjat journalist Edon Kuçi, due to the presence of powerful political actors in the case. Inaction fuels impunity, which threatens democracy, journalism as a profession, and the public’s right to know. We urge the Albanian authorities to investigate these cases further and to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable.”

THIS IS A CALL TO ACTION! The Albanian authorities must conduct immediate, thorough, and independent investigations into all incidents of violence and threats against journalists. They must ensure that perpetrators, regardless of their influence or power, are prosecuted and held accountable. This includes the establishment of a fast-track rapid response mechanism to ensure that journalists under threat receive immediate and effective protection. Institutions should provide follow-up and protection measures for journalists who have been attacked or threatened. Strengthening institutional mechanisms for the protection of journalists and guaranteeing safe access for journalists to public spaces and events without obstruction or intimidation is crucial. Furthermore, political leaders and public officials should respect the role of independent journalism as an essential mechanism of checks and balances and engage with the media in a manner that respects democratic principles.

DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN! The SafeJournalists Network also emphasizes the need for a safety plan for journalists and greater dialogue with civil society organizations to enforce laws and standards for press freedom. This includes addressing the continuous decline in media freedom in Albania, as reported by Reporters Without Borders, and taking immediate action to protect journalists from verbal abuse and insults. The network calls for an end to verbal attacks on journalists and the cessation of the so-called 'cassette methodology,' where pre-prepared government, party, and municipal materials replace free reporting. Journalists should be allowed to attend official activities and conduct normal press conferences, enabling them to ask questions freely and report accurately.

STAY TUNED! The battle for media freedom in Albania is far from over. The SafeJournalists Network will continue to monitor and document threats to media freedom and will keep you informed on these alarming developments. We stand in solidarity with independent journalists in Albania and across the region, who continue their vital work despite increasing hostility and risk.