Albanian Journalists’ Association (AGSH) has published a worrying report on violence and obstruction of journalists’ work during student and youth protests in Tirana. According to the organization’s data, 50 incidents against journalists and media workers were documented between October 13 and 24, 2026, of which 40 cases, or 80% of the total, are directly linked to the State Police.
One of the report’s most serious findings is that five journalists and media workers were hit with rubber bullets by police while performing their duties.
The documented incidents include physical violence, threats, obstruction of reporting, damage to professional equipment, use of pepper spray, as well as verbal attacks against journalists and media outlets.
Among the recorded cases are those involving journalists and camera operators from News24. Elvin Kamberi reportedly was injured by a noise device thrown by police, while Renaldo Salianji denounced physical violence and insults from an officer. Journalist Osman Stafa is involved in two separate incidents, while Klevi Muka and Armand Kullau are also among media workers who reported violence during the protests.
At the October 24 protest, according to AGSH, Klevi Muka suffered burns to his body from water thrown by police, while Armand Kullau was deliberately sprayed with pepper spray from close range.
The report also highlights attacks on journalists by protesters, including stone-throwing and damage to filming equipment.
The document also includes public statements by Prime Minister Edi Rama and Democratic Party chairman Sali Berisha, which AGSH has criticized as verbal attacks and denigrating rhetoric toward the media.
The figures published by the Albanian Journalists’ Association raise serious concerns about the safety of journalists and respect for media freedom during the protests, while documenting a high number of incidents that the organization attributes to police forces.