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Media freedom, Albania in 80th place/ Reporters Without Borders: Problems with political and business interference

2025-05-02 08:52:00, Aktualitet CNA

Media freedom, Albania in 80th place/ Reporters Without Borders: Problems with

Albania has marked an increase in the annual press freedom index of the Reporters Without Borders organization, ranking 80th in the world, while in 2024, it was in 99th place.

The report highlights that, in Albania, press freedom and media independence are threatened by conflicts of interest between the business and political worlds, a weak legal framework and party regulation. Journalists are victims of acts of intimidation by politicians and organized crime.

The most influential private sector media in Albania is owned by a handful of companies with political connections in highly regulated sectors such as construction. While there are hundreds of online media outlets in the country, only a small number have a sustainable business model with transparent financing.

Political context

Journalists face political pressure, particularly during elections. Politicians limit editorial independence by politicizing media regulators and appointing those responsible for public media. Journalists critical of the authorities are often subject to attacks to discredit them from both the government and the opposition, and they have difficulty obtaining state information, access to which may be further limited by a recent centralization of government communications.

Legal framework

Although Albania's constitution and international legal commitments guarantee freedom of the press, protection of the confidentiality of sources is insufficient. As a result of controversial court decisions, media outlets were prohibited from covering sensitive issues of public interest.

Economic context

Ownership of most of the Albanian media landscape is concentrated in the hands of just four or five companies. State funding represents a major source of revenue for the media, but its opaque distribution raises suspicions of illicit influence.

Sociocultural context

Journalists who investigate crime and corruption are particularly targeted by threats. Female journalists, who make up the majority of the profession, face online harassment and in some cases gender-based discrimination within newsrooms, although there has been progress in this area. Self-censorship is widespread, but the media has nevertheless created a platform for ethical self-regulation, the first of its kind in Albania.

Safety

Journalists covering demonstrations and police operations are sometimes victims of police violence. But organized crime represents one of the greatest threats to the safety of journalists. Although police have recently taken steps to investigate attacks against journalists, impunity for these crimes, combined with political efforts to discredit journalists, has created a climate that is likely to encourage further attacks./ CNA