Demonstrations arise following the shutdown of a news station's facilities in Tirana
Press Freedom Under Threat in Albania: The Closure of News24
In a concerning development for media freedom and democracy in Albania, the 24-hour news channel News24 went off air on Saturday, August 9, 2025, following a police blockade. This incident, linked to a property dispute between the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation and Focus Media Group, the owner of News24, has raised serious concerns about the legality and proportionality of the action [2][4].
The closure of News24 marks a significant blow to media pluralism, public trust, and could potentially create a chilling effect on freedom of expression in Albania. The police operation led to cutting electricity and blocking access to the broadcaster's offices without clear legal grounds or due process [2].
The dispute over the premises where News24 was located, the state-owned former Auto Tractor Plant, went through all levels of the judiciary. The Administrative Court of Appeal upheld an order for the immediate release of the premises on July 14, 2025. However, the Ministry of Finance and Economy had set July 25, 2022 as the deadline for the company to vacate the building, but the company did not do so voluntarily [3].
The Auto Tractor Plant, once the largest mechanical engineering enterprise in communist Albania, is now set to be transformed into a defense industry hub producing uniforms and equipment for the armed forces [6]. Focus Media News, which employs around 230 people, has rejected the statement from the State Attorney's Office, accusing them of misinformation and claiming that the premises are their property [5].
This incident reflects deeper systemic issues in Albania's media landscape. Ongoing challenges include concentrated media ownership with political affiliations, lack of transparency in state advertising, intimidation of journalists, and persistent political influence over public broadcasters. Despite some formal compliance with EU demands, progress in media freedom is fragile, not deeply rooted, and often driven by external rather than domestic pressure [1].
Moreover, proposed changes in the draft Penal Code by the Ministry of Justice add further risks to freedom of expression and media independence [3]. The eviction of News24 is considered a blow to freedom of expression in an EU candidate country [7]. Civil society and journalistic organizations suffer from administrative obstacles, intimidation, and legal harassment such as SLAPP suits [1].
In April 2025, Albania signed several cooperation agreements with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, Israeli defense technology company Elbit Systems, and the Ministries of Defense of Albania and Israel to develop naval capabilities, strengthen Albania's defense capabilities, and increase bilateral cooperation in this field [5]. These agreements, while aimed at enhancing Albania's security, have raised questions about the government's commitment to media freedom and democracy.
In light of these developments, it is crucial for the Albanian government to uphold democratic principles, ensure the rule of law, and protect freedom of expression. The international community should also continue to monitor the situation closely and provide support for media freedom and democratic reforms in Albania.
References: [1] Reporters Without Borders. (2025). Albania. Retrieved from https://rsf.org/en/albania [2] News24 Albania. (2025). News24 goes off air after police blockade. Retrieved from https://www.news24albania.com/en/news/news24-albania-goes-off-air-after-police-blockade/ [3] Albanian Journalists Union. (2025). Police intervention against News24 violates democratic principles and press freedom. Retrieved from https://www.aju.al/en/news/police-intervention-against-news24-violates-democratic-principles-and-press-freedom/ [4] OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media. (2025). Albania: OSCE media freedom representative concerned over police intervention against News24. Retrieved from https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-the-media/445323 [5] European Federation of Journalists. (2025). Albania: EFJ condemns police intervention against News24. Retrieved from https://www.efj.org/albania-efj-condemns-police-intervention-against-news24/ [6] Albanian Ministry of Defense. (2025). Strategic framework agreement signed with Israel to strengthen Albania's defense capabilities. Retrieved from https://mod.gov.al/en/news/strategic-framework-agreement-signed-with-israel-to-strengthen-albanias-defense-capabilities/ [7] European Commission. (2025). Albania's progress towards EU membership. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/countries/albania_en
- The international community should remain vigilant about the ongoing threat to press freedom in Albania, as evidenced by the closure of News24, which has raised concerns about media independence and the rule of law.
- The government's action in evicting News24 from the state-owned former Auto Tractor Plant, despite a court order, underscores systemic issues in Albania's media landscape, including political influence, lack of transparency, and intimidation of journalists.
- As Albania seeks to improve its defense capabilities through cooperation with foreign partners such as Italy and Israel, it is crucial that the government does not compromise its commitment to human rights and freedom of expression.
- The proposed changes in the draft Penal Code, if passed, could further restrict freedom of expression and media independence in Albania, a potential blow to its democratic development and European Union membership aspirations.
- Civil society, media organizations, and human rights activists in Albania continue to face administrative obstacles, intimidation, and legal harassment, highlighting the need for continuous international support and monitoring to protect democratic values and media freedom in the country.
