Actual attack to journalist Besarta Demushi and her colleagues, Tirana, 16.05.2025

Tirana •︎ Posted on

Actual attack to journalist Besarta Demushi and her colleagues, Tirana, 16.05.2025

Translations: Tirana 

  • Case info

  • Personal info

  • Regional center
    Tirana
  • Who was attacked?
    Group
  • Group members' names and surnames
    B.Demushi;A.BajramemajA.Skenderi;D.Maloku;E.Brakaj

  • Media outlet

  • Name of the media outlet
    Euronews Albania, A2CNN
  • Type of media platform
    Television
    Online Media
  • Source of information about the incident
    https://euronews.al/largohuni-demokratet-ne-proteste-perplasen-me-gazetaren-e-euronews-albania/

  • Incident Data

  • Date of incident
    16.05.2025
  • City
    Tirana
  • Perpetrator(s)
    Known (suspected)
  • Attacked by
    (ordinary) citizens
    Public person(s)
    By public official(s) and/or representative(s) of the executive power
  • Means of incidents and attacks
    In person
  • Type of incident
    Actual attacks on journalists
  • Type of attack
    Physical attack with snatching or damage to devices, cars or other journalist's belongings

  • Action by the authorities

  • Police action
    State Police: Materials were referred to SPAK regarding citizens E. P. and K. B., following a complaint by citizen B. D., a journalist, stating that on May 16, 2025, on the New Boulevard, during a protest organized by the political entity Democratic Party, these individuals verbally threatened her due to her professional duties.

  • Action taken by the journalists' association

  • Was journalist's association informed by the journalists directly?
    Yes

During a protest organized by the Democratic Party (DP) in Albania on 16/05/2025, the media crew from Euronews Albania, who were present covering the event and reporting on the protesters’ concerns, faced resistance and hostility from several DP members and protest participants. Notably, DP MP Edi Paloka not only refused to be interviewed by journalist Besarta Demushi and demanded the removal of the Euronews Albania camera from the area, but also physically pushed the journalist and pulled her press badge. At the time of the incident, Ms. Demushi was identifiable and actively reporting live from the protest, fulfilling her professional duties as a journalist. Shortly after, MP Aldo Bumçi also declined to speak, claiming he had not given permission to be approached by Euronews Albania, and therefore refused to engage with the media.

Following these incidents, the situation escalated. A group of protest participants attempted to block the camera from filming and verbally insulted the journalist. Additionally, MP Klevis Balliu addressed the journalist in a dismissive tone, stating that while she could remain at the protest, she was not allowed to “touch” or interact with citizens, even though it was the protesters themselves who were approaching and pressuring the media to leave.

In addition to the hostile behavior directed at journalist Demushi, several of her colleagues were also subjected to similar aggression and hostility. One of the camera crews was even forcibly pushed away. The journalists targeted in these incidents include Anesti Brjammemaj from A2CNN, Arestina Skenderi, Daniela Maloku, Esido Brakaj, and Besar Bajraktaraj.

These incidents reflect a concerning and unprecedented hostility towards the media during a public demonstration.