Other threats to journalists by PM Rama, 14.08.2024, Tirana

Tirana •︎ 14/08/2024

Other threats to journalists by PM Rama, 14.08.2024, Tirana

Translations: Tirana Pristina 

  • Case info

  • Personal info

  • Regional center
    Tirana
  • Who was attacked?
    Group
  • Group members' names and surnames
    Group of media organizations and journalists

  • Media outlet

  • Name of the media outlet
    Group of media organizations and journalists
  • Type of media platform
    Radio
    Radio
    Printed Media
    Online Media
  • Source of information about the incident
    https://www.mapmf.org/alert/32022

  • Incident Data

  • Date of incident
    14.08.2024
  • City
    Tirana
  • Perpetrator(s)
    Known (suspected)
  • Attacked by
    By public official(s) and/or representative(s) of the executive power
    Politician(s) / political party(ies) (other than public officials)
  • Means of incidents and attacks
    Through media outlets (broadcast, print, online)
  • 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?
    Unknown
  • What was the reaction of the journalists' association?
    The association reacted publicly

On 14 August 2024, Prime Minister Edi Rama attacked journalists in a press conference, over media coverage of the assault that resulted in the death of Egli Proga’s citizen in the town of Pogradec. The Albanian media outlets raised the family’s concerns about delays in the arrival of the ambulance and the police response, leading to accusations of an incomplete investigation. Rama supported Police Director General Muhamet Rrumbullaku who accused journalists of spreading “fabrications and vile accusations against the State Police. Rrumbullaku announced that “the State Police will take legal steps to fully ensure transparency regarding the causes and purposes behind the spread of this disinformation and deliberate misinformation”.

“Criminalising journalistic reporting contradicts the principles and constitutional guarantees of free speech and media freedom,” the SafeJournalists Network said in a press release.