Other threats to journalist Armand Bajrami, 12/09/2023, Tirana

Tirana •︎ 18/09/2023

Other threats to journalist Armand Bajrami, 12/09/2023, Tirana

Translations: Tirana 

  • Case info

  • Personal info

  • Regional center
    Tirana
  • Who was attacked?
    Journalist
  • Gender
    Male
  • Victim(s) name
    Armend Bajrami

  • Media outlet

  • Name of the media outlet
    A2CNN
  • Type of media platform
    Radio
    Online Media
  • Source of information about the incident
    Journalist Armand Bajrami

  • Incident Data

  • Date of incident
    12.09.2023
  • City
    Tirana
  • Perpetrator(s)
    Known (suspected)
  • Type of incident
    Other threats to journalists
  • Type of threat
    Aggressive, harassing or discriminatory statements

  • Action by the authorities

  • Action taken by the journalists' association

  • Was journalist's association informed by the journalists directly?
    No

On September 12, 2023, journalist Armand Bajrami reported the use of his personal data by an unauthorized person to the Cybercrime section of the Tirana Local Police Directorate.

Through the email address `[email protected]`, in the last few days, a request for information was sent to the Internal Control Service of Prisons and to the Prosecution of Elbasan. In both cases, the sender claims to be Armand Bajrami, an A2CNN journalist, while the journalist claims that such an account does not belong to him.

In the communication via emails, the unidentified user sent a request for information on the progress of an investigation by the Elbasan Prosecutor’s Office on a suspected case of abuse in Lushnja prison.

As contact number in the email sent to SHKBB is the correct number of the journalist, while in the email sent to the Elbasan Prosecutor’s Office, is set as the contact number the phone number of the journalist’s wife, Esiona Konomi, a journalist at ABC News. Attached to this communication is also a photocopy of the identity card of journalist Bajrami.

In addition to the fake use of the name and personal data of the journalist, the unidentified user also used the name of A2CNN, the television where Bajrami is currently working as well as the correct address of the television in the email signature.

The unauthorized use of Armand Bajrami’s data presents far-reaching implications not just for him, but also for journalistic integrity and freedom in Albania. Given Bajrami’s substantive reporting on organized crime and corruption, this illicit act may serve to intimidate and impede the forthright dissemination of information to the public, ultimately eroding trust in media establishments. Furthermore, by entwining his wife Esiona Konomi, who is also a notable journalist, the perpetrators threaten to create a chilling effect that could potentially deter investigative journalists from delving into and exposing sensitive issues in the future. This violation not only encapsulates a grave personal security concern for both journalists but also underscores the looming challenges tied to digital security and privacy in journalism. The incident prompts an urgent discourse on fortifying digital barriers and establishing stringent cybersecurity protocols to safeguard journalists and their pursuit of truth amidst potential virtual threats.