The SafeJournalists network warns of violence against journalists in Albania and calls for an urgent response from the authorities

The statement notes that cases of physical assault, shoving, prevention of filming, and threats of detention have been recorded. Among the individual incidents, the case in which police officers beat a journalist while he was filming the use of force stands out, as well as the event on October 17, when masked individuals physically obstructed journalists as they attempted to question the general director of the state police.

Representatives of the network also point out that journalists were subjected to attacks by certain demonstrators, resulting in damage to equipment, and two female journalists were injured by stones during clashes on the ground.

Although the Agency for Police Oversight (AMP) has initiated proceedings to investigate the allegations and suspended seven police officers, the SafeJournalists network emphasizes that it is still unclear whether these measures relate to cases in which journalists were harmed. In addition, attention was drawn to political rhetoric and statements by officials, with the assessment that such remarks can influence public perception and the work of independent media.

The SafeJournalists network has called on the Albanian authorities to conduct independent investigations into all reported cases, ensure the implementation of existing guidelines for journalist safety, and guarantee conditions for free reporting. At the same time, a call was made to international organizations and diplomatic missions to monitor the situation and engage in dialogue with media associations and civil society organizations.

The statement was signed by the Croatian Journalists’ Association, the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia, the Media Union of Montenegro, the Association of Journalists of Albania, the BH Journalists Association, the Association of Journalists of Kosovo, and the Association of Journalists of Macedonia.