Week in Review: Influence, Repression and Revival
Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and a whole lot more. Original post Here
Digital Rights Review: Privacy and Freedom of Expression Threatened
From data leaks and criminal hacks to smear campaigns, BIRN’s digital rights monitoring team documented widespread privacy violations and assaults on freedom of speech across Southeast Europe in July. Original post Here
Money to Burn: Albania’s Nexus of Organised Crime and Rubbish Collection
As fires rage at overflowing and often illegal landfills in Albania, companies with criminal connections keep securing waste management contracts with the state. Original post Here
Week in Review: Alarm Bells and Struggles
Across the region, our selection of this week’s Balkan Insight Premium stories suggests that alarm bells are going off in many countries – and not only because of the wildfires. Original post Here
With Investment Favours, Albania’s Government Chips Away at Media Freedom
The owners of the biggest broadcasters in Albania have all benefitted from ‘strategic investor’ status granted by the government for other projects, raising doubts about editorial independence. Original post Here
Albania Battles Deadly Wildfires Amid Heatwave
TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times) , August 13,2025— Fierce wildfires swept across Albania this week, killing one person, injuring at least 10 and forcing mass evacuations from southern towns to central mountain villages, as much of the Mediterranean battles deadly blazes fueled by extreme summer heat. Authorities said more than 10,000 …
News24 TV’s Shutdown in Albania Sends a Worrying Signal
The Albanian police’s action – forcing the country’s largest news broadcaster off air without a court order – sets an alarming precedent. Original post Here
Alarm in Albania at Proposed Criminal Code Changes; Govt Denies Involvement
Albania wants to align its Criminal Code with EU law, but critics, including media associations, say a proposed draft falls far short – and could limit press freedom. Original post Here
Media Unions Criticise Albanian Police Operation Targeting TV Station
Media organisations say Albanian police action, surrounding the News 24 TV station building and seizing journalists’ computers amid a property dispute with a government ministry, is ‘heavy-handed’ and lacks a clear legal basis. Original post Here
News 24 Raid and Blackout: Press Freedom or Property Dispute?
Tirana Times, 11 August, 2025 The forcible shutdown of Albania’s leading all-news television channel, News 24, and the blockade of the Focus Media Group headquarters by police and later military forces on August 9 has ignited national and international debate about press freedom, political retaliation, and the limits of state …
The Albanian opera “Fundi i Golemëve” by composer Nikolla Zoraqi will receive its world premiere at the National Theatre of Opera, Ballet and Folk Ensemble in Tirana. First, the opera was composed in 1963 and remained unperformed on stage for decades. Now, it returns as one of the most important …
Blendi Gonxhja shared images of the restored Shën Prodhomi Monastery in Voskopojë. Authorities restored the monastery through a project designed by the National Institute of Cultural Heritage and the Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage in Korçë, with financing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Experts built the monastery …
TIRANA, May 26 – Rehearsals and preparations continue ahead of the Spring Festival at Albanian Radio and Television. Twenty participating artists are rehearsing with the Albanian Radio and Television orchestra and the festival band. Stage work advances. Meanwhile, preparation work continues as artists move closer to their performances. They share …
TIRANA, May 26 – Prime Minister Edi Rama published an artificial intelligence-generated analysis of media coverage in Albania on social media platform X. He said the report examines patterns in public communication and media visibility. The publication follows a recent assessment by Reporters Without Borders. In addition, Rama is in …
This week features a wide range of cultural and artistic events across Albania. The “TK Rin Art 2026” theater festival continues in Tirana and runs until June 5. It brings together school theater performances from across the capital. In Elbasan, the Skampa Theatre hosts the 30th edition of the Youth …
TIRANA, May 26 – The EU Chargé d’Affaires in Albania, Andre Rizzo, underlined the importance of cadastral reform and digital transformation at a regional conference on Western Balkan digitalisation and EU integration. He described the EU accession process as one of the most significant challenges for the region. In addition, …
TIRANA, May 26 – Albania hosted a regional conference in Tirana, bringing together Western Balkan countries around a shared vision for digital transformation, legal certainty on property, and European integration. At the conference, Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania has opened all negotiation chapters with the European Union. In addition, …
TIRANA, May 26 – An international scientific conference titled “From the gigaworld to elementary particles, everything moves and self-organises: this is physics” was held at the Academy of Sciences. The event marked the promotion of a series of scientific works by academic Rexhep Meidani. The publications focus on space, time, …
TIRANA, May 26 – Prosecutor Vladimir Mara on Tuesday praised cooperation with the Bari Anti-Mafia Directorate and law enforcement agencies across Europe in operations targeting criminal groups. Speaking during a joint press conference with the Bari Anti-Mafia Directorate, Mara focused on a joint investigation that targeted a criminal group involved …
TIRANA, May 26 – Albania has officially joined the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation, Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj announced on Tuesday. He said Albania joined countries that promote biodiversity protection through responsible and sustainable wildlife management. In addition, he confirmed the country’s commitment to a modern and science-based …