The Albanian Media Association (AGSH) has closely followed today’s protest, held on 31 October 2026, while reports from the field continue to raise concern about the conduct of the State Police toward journalists and media workers.
So far, AGSH has documented at least two cases of journalists being obstructed by State Police officers, on the grounds that they could not pass beyond the so-called “police cordon”.
AGSH reiterates that setting reporting boundaries for journalists, especially in situations where protests take place in various public spaces and events constantly change location, constitutes an unjustified restriction on media freedom and directly hinders them from carrying out their duty.
Security measures taken by the State Police must not be turned into instruments for restricting journalists’ access to information or for preventing the documentation of authorities’ actions during protests.
AGSH has also documented the use of pepper spray against A2 CNN journalists Fjorela Beleshi and Kleida Muka, Top News journalist, and A2 CNN cameraman Eugert Hoxha while they were carrying out their duties in the field.
Another incident was documented against Top Channel journalist Elda Menga, who was verbally assaulted by a man around 50 years old while reporting from the protest. AGSH condemns this intimidating behaviour toward the journalist and stresses that no media representative should face insults, threats or pressure while performing their profession, regardless of who they come from.
AGSH considers the use of force against journalists unacceptable and calls on the State Police to provide immediate explanations for the documented incidents, and to identify the officers responsible.
The association recalls that journalists have the right to report freely from protests and to document the actions of public institutions, including those of law enforcement forces. Any restriction on this right must be lawful, necessary and proportionate, while the safety of journalists must be guaranteed in all circumstances.
AGSH calls on the State Police to immediately stop all forms of obstruction, intimidation or unjustified use of force against media representatives. At the same time, it calls on protesters and citizens to respect the work of journalists and to refrain from any form of verbal or physical aggression against them.
Following repeated incidents during protests in recent weeks, AGSH believes these cases can no longer be treated as isolated events. The lack of accountability for previous incidents risks creating a climate of impunity and further undermining the safety of journalists in Albania.