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Brussels criticizes Albania for lack of progress in media freedom!

2025-11-04 15:11:14Politikë SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Prime Minister Edi Rama speaking during the First EU Western Balkans Investment Forum

Although civil society and academic actors were involved in a dialogue process with the government, providing concrete recommendations for improving freedom of expression and the media in the country, the Albanian government has made limited progress towards reforming the sector, the European Commission underlines in its annual report on Albania.

“ The situation remains largely unchanged, with media independence and pluralism affected by the overlap of political and business interests, the lack of transparency of financial sources, high concentration of ownership, intimidation and precarious working conditions for journalists ,” the European Commission writes .

The Commission emphasizes that the Albanian government has turned a "deaf ear" to the recommendations made by this institution to strengthen freedom of expression over the last three years, while adding that the expulsion of News 24 television from the public spaces where it operated raised concerns regarding legality and respect for procedures.

According to the Commission, over the last year Albania has not made progress in approximating the legal framework with the EU acquis and European standards, in particular as regards the main challenges related to media freedom in the country – including the high market concentration and the lack of transparency over media ownership, sources of funding and economic interests, as well as the use of public funds, which continue to negatively impact media independence and pluralism.

“ Defamation remains a criminal offense punishable by heavy fines ,” the Commission writes.

"The Criminal Code still does not provide specific protection for journalists against violence, attacks or threats while exercising their profession. The legal framework does not provide guarantees against strategic lawsuits (SLAPP)," he adds.

According to the Commission, the implementation of the current legal framework also leaves much to be desired, while the independence of the institutions supervising the media market also remains problematic.

The Commission emphasizes that the independence of the Audiovisual Media Authority (AMA) is called into question by corporate and political influence in the procedures for appointing board members by the Assembly, while adding that there are shortcomings in the implementation of the Broadcasting Code for media that broadcast political content recorded during election campaigns.

Although Albania has a law on the right to information in line with European standards, its implementation remains weak, while public authorities continue to withhold information.

On a positive note, in July 2025 Albania adopted the first National Strategy against foreign interference and disinformation.

The Commission stresses that the implementation of this strategy must guarantee respect for standards of freedom of expression, media freedom and pluralism – in line with the EU acquis and best practices.

Although a legal framework exists in Albania to protect journalists, they regularly face verbal and physical attacks, smear campaigns, and strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP) in some cases by senior state officials and police officers.

Attacks and intimidation mainly target investigative journalists and women. According to the report, there has been an increase in the number of threats against journalists in the digital space, including smear campaigns, privacy violations and online harassment.

“The situation is exacerbated by the lack of institutional mechanisms for reporting, addressing, and mitigating these digital threats,” the report states.

Among the steps taken by institutions to protect journalists during 2024, the report highlights the appointment of contact officers for reporting attacks on journalists in the General Prosecutor's Office, the Ministry of Interior, and the police.

Regarding the economic factors affecting the media market in Albania, the Commission emphasizes that high concentration of ownership and non-transparent financing practices continue to compromise media independence and pluralism.

“The legal framework does not yet include provisions to regulate the distribution of indirect subsidies or state advertising, nor to extend transparency requirements to online media,” the Commission writes. “Concerns persist about the influence of politically connected business groups, in particular during pre-election periods,” it adds.

The Commission emphasizes that the problems of professionalism, ethics and quality in the media are not yet addressed through self-regulation, which remains weak and hampered by the polarization of the media landscape.

“Limited job security and poor working conditions for journalists, combined with self-censorship and pressure from political actors and media owners, continue to pose serious challenges,” the EU report highlights.

“Self-censorship remains widespread, fueled by political pressure, legal threats and economic dependence,” the Commission concludes.


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