In Albania, media independence is severely compromised by political influence and financial instability. The government exercises near-total control over major media outlets, transforming them into tools of political propaganda. Efforts to establish media self-regulation, such as the Albanian Media Council, face significant governmental sabotage. Traditional media is largely owned by business elites who exchange favorable coverage for public contracts, while the government aims to extend control to online media through proposed defamation laws. Financially, Albanian media struggle with public disengagement and reliance on funding from politicians, oligarchs, and organized crime. The European Union’s support is seen as crucial for fostering independent media. However, the overall transparency and effectiveness of reforms remain questionable, impacting the safety and ethical standards of journalism in the country. Read more here.
Source: OBCT