TIRANA, Nov 18 /ATA/ A roundtable hosted by SCiDEV and Faktoje.al, entitled “Freedom of Expression and Media Freedom in Albania: Between Progress and Stagnation – Reflections on the 2025 EU Report and the Path Towards Accountability”, focused on the country’s achievements and challenges in this area, as well as priorities for 2026.
The roundtable was attended by DP MP Jorida Tabaku and Erald Kapri, MP of the “Mundësia” Party. Also, present were representatives from academia, the media, and national media organisations, as well as the Dutch Ambassador to Albania, Reinout Vos.
Participants shared their views and exchanged ideas on the key points of the 2025 European Union Report, focusing on freedom of expression and the right to information as fundamental rights of the citizens.
The Chairwoman of the Audiovisual Media Authority (AMA), Armela Krasniqi, emphasised that, “Freedom of expression and the right to information are the two main pillars of the institution’s work. This is not just about 2025, but about our entire long-term agenda, in which we have worked to safeguard these rights.”
Krasniqi highlighted some of AMA’s most significant achievements, including the transparency of the Ownership Structure and Beneficial Owner of audio and audiovisual media, with data easily accessible on AMA’s official website; the operation of AMA as a fully independent body, evidenced by decisions reached by consensus and uncontested; the advancement of the Audience Measurement process for audiovisual media; and legal reforms aligned with European Union regulations, aimed at further regulating the audio and audiovisual market.
The AMA Chairwoman further stressed that the institution remains committed to advancing its ongoing initiatives and to supporting its mission of protecting and promoting media freedom and freedom of expression across the country.
The roundtable provided a platform for constructive dialogue, reflecting on current challenges and discussing ways to advance media standards in Albania in line with European Union recommendations and best practices.
/sm/
