Other threats to BIRN Albania, 11.02.2025, Tirana

On February 11, 2025, Prime Minister Edi Rama denounced BIRN Albania in a social media post, accusing it of distorting his statements regarding the arrest of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj by the Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK). In his criticism, Rama referred to BIRN as a frëngji—a narrow slit in fortress walls used for firing weapons—framing the media outlet not as an independent journalistic entity but as a selective and targeted aggressor. This metaphor goes beyond simple critique, portraying investigative journalism as a hostile force rather than a pillar of accountability.

BIRN’s article, titled “Edi Rama: SPAK Has Gone Off the Tracks, Veliaj Will Not Be Dismissed,” reported on Rama’s response to Veliaj’s arrest, where he claimed the case created “a reasonable doubt of an investigation outside constitutional tracks and a detention in violation of democratic standards.” By attacking BIRN’s reporting as misleading and using militarized language to characterize its work, Rama reinforced an adversarial stance against critical media, contributing to an environment where independent journalism is increasingly delegitimized and subject to political hostility.