“We welcome recent steps taken to strengthen journalist protections, including the appointment of a dedicated State Police contact point for journalist safety. These are important developments, but some challenges remain. Media professionals and organizations continue to face threats and pressure, underscoring the urgent need to ensure their safety and uphold a media environment free from undue political and economic pressures where independent journalism can flourish,” the OSCE Presence said  in a statement.

The OSCE Presence underlined that “equally vital is the role of accurate, impartial and ethical reporting through effective self-regulatory mechanisms that enable informed public debate and civic engagement. Journalists play a key role in holding power to account and public trust in their work depends on a strong commitment to professional and ethical standards.”

On this occasion, the OSCE Presence in Albania stresses its support for reform initiatives and the dialogue platforms that safeguard press freedom and promote responsible journalism in Albania.

Albania has made significant progress in press freedom, ranking 80th in the 2025 Reporters Without Borders index, 19 spots higher from ranking 99th in 2024.

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According to the Reporters Without Borders report, “in Albania, press freedom and media independence are threatened by conflicts of interest between the business and political worlds.”

“The most influential Albanian private-sector media are owned by a handful of companies that have links to the political world in highly regulated sectors such as construction,” the report reads.

“While there are hundreds of online media outlets in the country, only a small number have a sustainable business model with transparent funding. Major media outlets include the public broadcaster RTSH, Top Channel, TV Klan, and RTV Ora,” the Reporters Without Borders said in its report.

Meanwhile, Kosovo has suffered the worst drop in the region, falling to 99^th place out of 180 countries in what is being described as its steepest decline in over a decade. This continues a downward trend: in 2024, it had already fallen from 56^th to 75^th place.

Other Western Balkan countries saw minor changes. Thus, Montenegro improved slightly, rising to 37^th, North Macedonia declined to 42^nd from 36^th and Bosnia and Herzegovina sits at 86^th place.

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The EU Ambassador put emphasis on importance for people to have access to accurate and fact-based information.

“It is very important for people to have access to accurate and fact-based information. Journalists are very important for a democratic society because, if people do not receive accurate information, they cannot make the right decisions, they cannot have the right opinion on critical matters,” Gonzato said in a televised interview.

“Today is a day to remember once again that independent press, working in a safe environment, is indispensable.” EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato said.

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“On the World Press Freedom Day, it is important to remember that press freedom is a fundamental right and a cornerstone of democracy. Without free and independent media, democracy cannot thrive,” EU Ambassador said via the social media.

Hohmann expressed solidarity with journalists in Albania and all over the world as they defend high standards of quality journalism.

“Today, we stand in solidarity with journalists in Albania and around the world who day by day defend the highest standards of quality journalism and hold those in power accountable,” Ambassador Hohmann said.

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