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Albania: Media Freedom Organizations Raise Alarm Over Non-Compliance with Court Decision

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Media freedom organizations in Albania have issued an urgent call to the country's government to enforce a court decision that partially upheld the request of two news outlets, Focus Media Group and Panorama Group, to restore access to journalistic equipment and work materials. The decision, made by the Tirana First Instance Court on August 12, 2025, has not been implemented, and journalists continue to face restricted access to their work materials.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Tirana First Instance Court's decision on August 12, 2025, partially upheld the request of Focus Media Group and Panorama Group to restore access to journalistic equipment and work materials.
  • Despite the court's ruling, journalists continue to face restricted access to their work materials, and military police and state-owned entity KAYO are actively blocking execution of the court's order.
  • The court's decision was made in response to the eviction of Focus Media Group and Panorama Group from their premises, which has resulted in the blocking of access to journalistic equipment and work materials.
  • The media freedom organizations urge the government to immediately and fully implement the court's decision, cease actions that infringe on journalistic freedom, and ensure accountability for any state or third-party actors obstructing the lawful enforcement of the court's decision.
  • The organizations also urge the government to uphold Albania's international commitments to protect freedom of expression and the rights of journalists, as part of its EU accession requirements.

Statistics:

  • The Tirana First Instance Court's decision was made on August 12, 2025, and has not been implemented.
  • Journalists continue to face restricted access to their work materials, with military police and state-owned entity KAYO actively blocking execution of the court's order.
  • 5 media freedom organizations, including the European Federation of Journalists, Reporters Without Borders, and SafeJournalists Network, have signed a joint statement urging the government to implement the court's decision.

Sources:

  • European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
  • Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
  • SafeJournalists Network (SJN)
  • Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR)
  • International Press Institute (IPI)
  • European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
  • Free Press Unlimited (FPU)
  • Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)
  • Association of BH journalists
  • Association of Journalists of Kosovo
  • Association of Macedonian Journalists
  • Croatian Journalists' Association
  • Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia
  • Trade Union of Media of Montenegro

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