Actual attack on Journalists, Tirana, 07/06/2023

Several journalists and media outlets were attacked last night during the tensions at the meeting of the DP group by supporters of Lulzim Basha.  Five media outlets were reporting this morning from the outside premises of the Democratic Party and were attacked by members and supporters of the Democratic Party. The journalist Osman Stafa representing News 24, Ardit Hoxha representing EuroNews, Andon Kello representing MCN, Ermal Rizai representing Syri Tv, and Isa Myzyraj representing Ora News were not allowed to perform their duty.

In the early hours of the morning, journalist Isa Myzyraj reported that supporters of Lulzim Basha cursed and insulted members of the opposition of the DP who were the first to leave the headquarters. The threats have continued against the journalists present in the meeting.

In a statement on Facebook, Myzyraj said that a group of people have asked them to turn off the cameras and not to record.

“Verbal violence, threats, insults, and attempts at physical violence against journalists in the early hours of the morning near the headquarters of the Democratic Party are an alarm bell not only for the freedom of the media but also for the physical safety of the journalists” stated Myzyraj.

“Some supportive individuals of Basha exercised verbal violence, threats, insults, and attempts at physical violence against journalists near the headquarters of the Democratic Party.  These events are an alarm bell not only for the freedom of the media but also for the physical security of the journalists” stated Osman Stafa

In addition, he added in his Facebook statement that: “The safety of journalists has been seriously jeopardized today at dawn, senior DP politicians must urgently order their supporters to immediately stop these dangerous behaviors that harm media freedom, and put journalists at risk”.