The International Press Institute (IPI) condemns the numerous attacks against journalists and media workers reporting from protests in Tirana, most of them by police officers, and demands a thorough and independent investigation into all incidents. Albanian authorities have an obligation to ensure a safe environment for members of the press covering demonstrations.
Between October 13 and 21, at least 38 journalists, camera operators, photojournalists, and media teams were attacked while covering Albania’s intensifying student-led protests. According to the Association of Journalists of Albania (AGSH), police officers or individuals suspected of being affiliated with the police carried out at least 34 of these incidents. Journalists faced physical assaults, tear gas and stun grenades, threats, obstruction, and the confiscation or destruction of equipment. Several were injured and at least one journalist was hospitalized.
The anti-government movement known as the “Flamingo Revolution” began in February and grew into major demonstrations in Tirana and other cities in May. Since mid-October, protests have escalated into widespread violent clashes. According to SafeJournalists Network, the violence against journalists in October is the latest instance of escalating pressure against journalists and civil society that has been growing since the protests began.
Among those targeted in recent days was Dosja.al editor-in-chief Izmir Akulli, who required medical treatment after being beaten by police despite identifying himself as a journalist. A tear-gas device also injured the leg of Fax News journalist Fatime Baçi. Police have also struck, pushed, and threatened other journalists and camera operators with weapons, or prevented them from filming.
The latest incidents from October 18 and 19 include a police assault on News24 journalist Renado Salianji, State Police officers reportedly throwing stones at Klan News journalist Glidona Daci, and at least three incidents in which police officers have reportedly struck journalists with a rubber bullet.
The Police Oversight Agency (AMP), an independent law enforcement agency in Albania responsible for preventing, detecting, and investigating criminal offenses committed by police, is investigating police misconduct. It has suspended seven officers so far. It is unclear whether these suspensions relate to cases involving journalists.
Police in Albania must follow its own rules. The Guidelines for Safety of Journalists, which state that police officers are responsible for protecting the legal rights of journalists to carry out their duties at protests, include the right to record footage of police officers without restriction. The guidelines also require police to assist journalists facing obstruction and to refrain from obstructing or preventing them from carrying out their work.
IPI calls on the AMP and the General Director of the State Police to ensure that all credible reports of police violence against the press covering demonstrations are properly investigated and followed up. IPI stands in solidarity with affected journalists and media workers. Journalists must be able to report on public protests without fear of violations, retaliation, intimidation, or obstruction.
This individual statement by IPI is part of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries
