TIRANA, May 18 – OSCE Ambassador to Tirana, Michele Tarran spoke at a media freedom conference. He said journalism represents a public service, not only a profession or an industry. He pointed to declining trust in institutions, disinformation and manipulation. He also cited reduced media pluralism, information insecurity, hate speech and attacks on journalists. He said these issues extend beyond national borders and affect the entire region. He stated that security does not only refer to territory and infrastructure. It also concerns the integrity of the information space.
Turning to Albania, he acknowledged several positive developments in media freedom. Authorities have taken steps to improve journalists’ working conditions. These include efforts to strengthen the regulatory framework and address long-standing challenges. He noted improvements in media ownership transparency. He described the media community in Albania as active and influential in public discourse. Meanwhile, the State Police has established a focal point for journalist safety. Legal amendments support this measure and strengthen protection for media professionals.
At the same time, authorities continue cooperation to follow all cases related to journalist safety. Additional steps target regulatory improvements and structural challenges affecting journalists’ conditions. In 2025, national authorities identified media integration and media literacy as part of the school curriculum.
However, challenges remain. These include journalist safety risks, economic pressure on independent media and online intimidation. Disinformation campaigns also continue to pose risks. In conclusion, he called for stronger transparency and editorial independence. He also urged consistent enforcement of legal safeguards to ensure journalists work under high ethical standards.
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