Threats against media outlets and organizations, 07.03.2025, Tirana

On March 7, 2025, at 14:00, a meeting organized by the legal team of detained Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj was held to provide updates on his case. Journalists were invited under strict conditions that prohibited the use of cameras or recording devices during the event. This restriction has sparked significant criticism from media professionals and press freedom advocates, who view it as an attempt to control the narrative and suppress independent reporting.

Erion Veliaj has been in pretrial detention since February 10, 2025, facing charges of corruption, money laundering, and abuse of office. The meeting was framed as an opportunity for Veliaj’s legal team to inform journalists about his legal situation. However, the imposed restrictions have raised concerns about transparency and accountability.

The Head of the Association of Journalists of Albania Isa Myzyraj called for publicly called for a boycott of the meeting, denouncing it as a “propagandistic event” designed to allow Veliaj’s team to publish only their version of events while limiting journalistic inquiry. Despite this call for solidarity, six media outlets sent their journalists to attend the meeting.

Prohibiting cameras and recording devices undermines journalists’ ability to document events accurately and transparently, restricting their editorial autonomy. By imposing these conditions, Veliaj’s legal team effectively limits scrutiny and ensures that only their version of events reaches the public. This incident is part of a broader pattern under Veliaj’s tenure as mayor, marked by hostility toward journalists, including avoidance of press conferences and intimidation tactics.

On March 6, 2025, Report TV broadcasted an interview with detained Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, creating the illusion that he was speaking from his office. While Veliaj is in pretrial detention, the broadcast featured a video generated using artificial intelligence (AI).

This decision has ignited controversy, with critics arguing that the AI-generated interview promotes propaganda and aims to manipulate public opinion. The broadcast’s portrayal of Veliaj in a seemingly normal setting downplays the reality of his detention, potentially influencing public perception and raising serious ethical dilemmas about the use of AI in journalism and its potential to distort public discourse.