Other threats to journalist Lindita Cela, 13.05.2026, Tirana

Translations: Tirana 

On 11 May 2026, during a televised programme, Monika Kryemadhi, former chair of the Socialist Movement for Integration and former MP, publicly referred to investigative journalist Lindita Çela in relation to Çela’s reporting on the CEZ-DIA affair in 2015. Kryemadhi claimed that the CEZ-DIA story began with an article written by Çela which, according to her, had been taken from Lulzim Basha, the former chair of the Democratic Party and former leader of the opposition. The CEZ-DIA affair is part of criminal proceedings before the Special Court against Corruption and Organised Crime in Albania.

Following Kryemadhi’s statement, Lindita Çela published a response on Shteg.org, rejecting the claim and stating that her reporting was not ordered, supplied or directed by any political actor. Speaking to SafeJournalists in Albania, Çela said that the most difficult part is not the statement itself, but the repeated attempt to publicly distort her professional integrity. She explained that Shteg.org was created precisely to provide a space where journalism is not negotiated with politics and where no one dictates what should or should not be published. She also stressed that such attacks do not affect only her personally, but may also damage the credibility of Shteg.org, especially as a small independent media outlet whose relationship with readers and partners depends on public trust.

On 13 May 2026, after Çela’s public response, Kryemadhi posted a video on Instagram in which she continued addressing Çela directly. In the video, Kryemadhi told Çela not to “protect Lulzim Basha”, claiming that Basha had led her “down the wrong path”. She also used wordplay with the name of Çela’s media outlet, Shteg.org, saying “mos rri shtigjeve, dil përballë” / “do not stay in the paths, come out directly”.

Investigative journalism on corruption, public power and high-level accountability is protected public-interest reporting. While politicians and public figures have the right to respond to media reporting, to challenge information they consider inaccurate, and to seek correction, reply or legal remedies through appropriate channels, this should be exercised in a manner that respects the role of journalism in a democratic society. Debates about media reporting should focus on the facts, the content of the reporting, and the appropriate mechanisms for response, without creating unnecessary public pressure on journalists or media outlets because of their public-interest work.

Complete reaction of Lindita Çela for SafeJournalists in Albania:

“To be very honest, the most difficult part is not the statements themselves. Over the years, you get used to the fact that when you choose to report on corruption or people in power, sooner or later you will become the target of attacks yourself. What is more exhausting is the constant attempt to publicly distort your professional integrity, especially when you know how many sacrifices there have been behind this work.

Shteg.org was born precisely out of this need: to have a space where journalism is not negotiated with politics and where no one calls you to dictate what should or should not be published. And this is much harder than it may look from the outside. Keeping an independent media outlet alive in Albania often means working with uncertainty, pressure, and the awareness that every serious investigation may bring public attacks or personal targeting.

When certain politicians mention my name to build narratives that serve their political or judicial troubles, of course it has an impact. Not only professionally, but also personally. Because behind the public name there is a normal life, with fatigue, with family, with the effort to maintain an honest standard of living through your own work.

But these attacks do not affect only me personally. They may also affect Shteg.org itself, because when the integrity of a journalist is questioned, the aim is often to damage the credibility of the media outlet where that journalist works. For small and independent media outlets like Shteg, public trust is everything. And when politicians use television screens to create doubts or false narratives, this can affect the relationship with readers, partners, or even the ability to continue doing independent journalism with the same strength. This is why such attacks should not be seen simply as personal disputes, but also as forms of pressure against free media.

But in the end, this is also why I continue to do this work. Because I believe journalism has no meaning if it is not free to disturb power. And perhaps the fact that the attacks continue is the clearest proof that this work still has value.”

Reaction of AGSH.