The attack on the journalist during the protest/ "Safe Journalists", call to the authorities: Investigate the event

2024-10-11 11:24:00, Aktualitet CNA

The attack on the journalist during the protest/ "Safe Journalists",

The "Safe Journalists" network strongly condemned the violent attack on journalist Alketa Shaba and her operator during a live broadcast of the Democratic Party protest in Tirana on October 7, 2024.

The attack happened at the end of the protest as the protesters were moving towards Mustafa Matohiti street, where for months members of the Democratic Party have been gathering to support former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, who is currently under house arrest accused of corruption and awaiting trial.

"Safe Journalists" supports the journalist's report to the police and urges the authorities to conduct a full and timely investigation into this attack.

The "Safe Journalists" network calls on the Albanian authorities, political leaders and civil society to denounce all forms of violence against the press and strengthen protection for media professionals.

"During the live reporting from the scene, a citizen insulted and physically attacked both the journalist and the operator, the attack escalated until passers-by intervened to prevent further violence.

Alketa Shaba has informed the SafeJournalists Network that she filed a police report on the morning of October 8, 2024. The Network welcomes this step and urges the authorities to conduct a thorough and timely investigation into this attack, ensuring that the attackers are held accountable. It is essential that this case be treated with the weight it deserves, as it highlights the growing risks for journalists in carrying out their duties in Albania.

The attack came amid ongoing political unrest in Albania, where opposition supporters clashed with police and threw Molotov cocktails during a protest in the capital on the evening of October 7. During the protest, led by former Prime Minister Sali Berisha's Democratic Party, demonstrators demanded the replacement of the current government with a technocratic interim cabinet ahead of next year's parliamentary elections. The opposition accuses Prime Minister Edi Rama's Socialist Party of corruption and undermining democratic institutions, with the protests escalating after the imprisonment of a member of the party, a case that the opposition considers politically motivated.

What is particularly alarming in this case is how inflammatory rhetoric against the media, especially when used by political figures, can quickly escalate into real-world violence. This attack serves as another stark reminder of how hostile language directed at journalists can lead to physical violence, posing a serious threat to press freedom and undermining democratic principles.

The SafeJournalists network calls on the Albanian authorities, political leaders and civil society to denounce all forms of violence against the press and strengthen protection for media professionals. The right to report without fear of violence, intimidation or harassment is essential to maintaining a free and democratic society. In solidarity with Alketa Shaba, her colleagues at Top News and all journalists in Albania, we reaffirm our commitment to support the freedom of the press and to protect the rights of all media professionals", the statement emphasizes./ CNA