The SafeJournalists Network has expressed serious concern over the public intimidation and attempted discrediting of News24 investigative journalist Klodiana Lala by Vlora Hyseni, former Director of Albania’s State Intelligence Service. The incident occurred outside the Special Court against Corruption and Organised Crime on 24 September, when Hyseni publicly accused Lala of meeting Serbian intelligence agents after the journalist questioned her about an ongoing investigation into alleged manipulation of public procurement. SafeJournalists warned that associating an investigative journalist with foreign intelligence actors could damage her credibility and expose her to harassment, threats and heightened security risks. The Network also raised concerns that information obtained through state intelligence structures may have been accessed or used, with potential consequences for Lala’s privacy, the confidentiality of her sources and investigative journalism more broadly. It called on Hyseni to withdraw the allegation and urged the competent Albanian authorities to investigate any possible misuse of intelligence information, assess the risks facing Lala and protect her professional communications and confidential sources. Read more here.
Source: SafeJournalists
