2026-10-31 20:05:00AktualitetSHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Scene from the incident
Police have pepper-sprayed Top News journalist Kleida Muka. The police attack came while the journalist was reporting live on the protest at the Prime Minister's Office.
Citizens and protesters have come to the aid of journalist Kleida Muka with saline solution.
The journalist was then taken by ambulance and transported to the QSUT to receive medical assistance.
Top News has condemned the attack and calls on the police not to hinder the work of journalists.
"Journalists are not protesters, they are there in the service of transparency with the public. Top News expects the State Police to investigate and hold the perpetrator of the attack on the journalist accountable ," is the reaction of Top News.
The Albanian Journalists Association has also reacted to the incident.
AGSH says it has closely followed the protest held today, October 31, 2026, while reports on the ground indicate that the behavior of the State Police towards journalists and media workers continues to be concerning.
"So far, AGSH has documented at least two cases of journalists being obstructed by State Police officers, claiming that they could not pass beyond the so-called "police cordon."
AGSH reiterates that imposing reporting limits on journalists, especially in situations where protests take place in different public spaces and events constantly change locations, constitutes an unjustified restriction of media freedom and directly impedes the exercise of their duties.
Security measures taken by the State Police should not become instruments for restricting journalists' access to information or preventing the documentation of authorities' actions during protests.
AGSH has also documented the use of pepper spray against journalists Fjorela Beleshi of A2 CNN and Kleida Muka of Top News and cameraman Eugert Hoxha of A2CNN while performing their duties in the field.
Another incident was documented against Top Channel journalist Elda Menga, who was verbally attacked by a man in his 50s while reporting from the protest. AGSH condemns this intimidating behavior towards the journalist and emphasizes that no media representative should face insults, threats or pressure while exercising their profession, regardless of who they come from.
AGSH considers the use of force against journalists unacceptable and demands that the State Police provide immediate explanations for the documented incidents, as well as identify the officers responsible.
The Association recalls that journalists have the right to freely report on protests and to document the actions of public institutions, including those of law enforcement agencies. Any restrictions on this right must be lawful, necessary and proportionate, while the safety of journalists must be guaranteed in all circumstances.
AGSH calls on the State Police to immediately stop any form of obstruction, intimidation or unjustified use of force against media representatives. At the same time, it calls on protesters and citizens to respect the work of journalists and avoid any form of verbal or physical aggression against them.
"Following repeated incidents during the protests of recent weeks, AGSH assesses that these cases can no longer be treated as isolated events. The lack of accountability for previous incidents risks creating a climate of impunity and further compromising the safety of journalists in Albania ," AGSH says.
