Albania: Cumulative pressure on media freedom and civic space demands urgent action

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins the 10 co-signatories of this appeal in condemning the escalation of brutal repression against journalists and civil society in Albania. The joint statement calls on the international community to step up pressure on the Albanian authorities.

Protesters face police officers during a demonstration in Tirana, on 23 July, as part of a wave of protest against recent government decisions. Credit: Adnan Beci / AFP.

We, the undersigned organisations, express serious concern about the deterioration of media freedom, civic space and democratic debate in Albania during the ongoing civic mobilisation known as the Flamingo Revolution.

Over the past two months, journalists have faced obstruction, attacks and police interference while reporting. The use of crowd-control measures, including water cannon and tear gas, has raised concerns about necessity, proportionality and the protection of journalists and others present. Protest-related criminal procedures have also raised concerns about transparency and due process, while journalists, activists, civil society organisations and environmental defenders have been publicly identified, personally targeted and portrayed as paid, politically controlled or directed by foreign interests. 15 of the 27 threats and actual attacks registered by SafeJournalists Network in 2026 occurred in June and July alone. Taken together, these practices make reporting, peaceful participation and public criticism increasingly risky. These concerns draw on sustained documentation and repeated public warnings by Albanian journalists' organisations, independent media, civil society groups and human rights defenders.

Any violence, threat or obstruction against journalists must be investigated, regardless of the perpetrator, and those responsible must be held accountable. Individual incidents must not be used to justify interference with reporting, restrictions on peaceful assembly or the delegitimisation of wider civic movements. Journalists and media workers must be able to report on public assemblies, police operations and other matters of public interest safely and without intimidation, regardless of their outlet, employment status or perceived editorial position.

Public officials and media actors have a particular responsibility not to single out individuals or organisations, question their legitimacy without evidence, or portray criticism, civic advocacy and cooperation with international partners as political or unlawful conduct. Such rhetoric fuels harassment and discourages participation in public debate.

We call on the Albanian authorities to:

• guarantee that journalists and media workers can work freely and safely, and that civil society organisations, environmental defenders and citizens can exercise freedom of expression and peaceful assembly without intimidation;
• ensure that policing of assemblies complies with the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality and accountability; fully implement the State Police Protocol for the Safety of Journalists; and guarantee access to legal assistance, medical examination and clear information about the grounds and status of any police measure;
• promptly, independently and transparently investigate all reported incidents involving violence, threats, obstruction, detention, alleged ill-treatment or disproportionate use of force, regardless of whether the alleged perpetrator is a police officer, protest participant, public official or private actor; preserve relevant evidence, publish the findings and take measures to prevent recurrence;
• distinguish peaceful civic participation from individual unlawful conduct, and refrain from publicly singling out, politically labelling or making unsupported accusations against journalists, independent media, civil society organisations and citizens engaged in public debate.

We call on the European Union, the Council of Europe, the OSCE and diplomatic missions in Tirana to:

• raise these concerns directly and publicly with the Albanian authorities and seek concrete commitments and transparent follow-up;
• monitor the cumulative impact on media freedom, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and civic participation, and reflect it in assessments of Albania's rule of law, fundamental rights and EU accession progress;
• maintain engagement with journalists' associations, independent media and civil society, and support documentation, legal assistance and protection for those facing threats or pressure.

Albania's progress towards EU membership must be measured by whether journalists, civil society organisations and citizens can scrutinise public authority and participate in democratic debate without fear of violence, intimidation or retaliation.

We will continue to monitor developments and support journalists, media workers and civic actors facing threats, intimidation or interference.

Signatories:
Balkan Free Media Initiative (BFMI)
European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
Free Press Unlimited (FPU)
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)
Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
Reporting Diversity Network (RDN)
Safejournalists Network (SJN)
South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)