Journalist Iris Rezhda, who has covered the Korça district for nearly 10 years, revealed that “Fax News” has not paid her for two years, despite her ongoing work. She highlights the difficult conditions faced by correspondents, such as long hours, lack of holidays, and unpaid expenses like fuel. Despite working without a contract, like many other journalists, she is pursuing legal action to claim her unpaid wages. Recently fired without notice, she calls on fellow “Fax News” journalists to join her in addressing this violation of their rights.
In addition, journalists and media workers, who prefer not to be named, from other prominent outlets have reported similar issues. They claim that social security contributions have not been paid for over a year, salaries are frequently delayed, and payments are partially made through minimal bank transfers with the remainder provided in cash.
These issues reflect broader systemic challenges in the Albanian media sector, where precarious working conditions not only undermine the financial security of journalists but also affect the quality and independence of reporting. The lack of stable and fair employment practices creates an environment of insecurity, where journalists are often forced to work under pressure and with limited resources.
Despite the widespread nature of these problems, many media workers are reluctant to speak out, fearing retaliation from their employers, further exacerbating the vulnerability of those in the profession.