The SafeJournalists Network condemns the incidents of verbal abuse, intimidation, and physical aggression directed at journalists by members and supporters of the Democratic Party of Albania (PD) in the aftermath of Albania’s 11 May 2025 general elections.
On 12 May, PD Secretary General Flamur Noka responded to a legitimate question from journalist Esiona Konomi (Report TV) with a vulgar expression aimed at her media outlet, refusing to engage with the question and instead using derogatory language. On 14 May, when pressed by reporters outside PD headquarters about the party’s electoral defeat, Noka once again resorted to offensive rhetoric, accusing the journalists of campaigning for the ruling party and telling journalist Daniela Maloku (Report TV): “I love you, but your media is… I won’t say it again,” repeating a previously used insult.
These actions escalated further during the Democratic Party’s 16 May protest in Tirana, organized to denounce what they alleged was electoral fraud and timed to coincide with the European Political Community Summit taking place in Tirana. Throughout live coverage of the protest, journalists attempting to question Democratic Party officials and protesters faced repeated verbal harassment, intimidation, and physical interference, limiting their ability to report freely and inform the public.
MP Edi Paloka physically confronted Sara Demushi of Euronews Albania, grabbing her official EU summit press badge, and with disdain told her: “You’re wearing Edi Rama’s star.” The badge, in fact, was official accreditation provided to journalists covering the European Political Community Summit being held in Tirana on 16 May 2025. He ordered her to leave, while supporters moved before the camera to block filming and continued to use derogatory language against the journalist. Party officials Aldo Bumçi and Klevis Balliu adopted similar tactics, refusing to answer and pressuring reporters to leave and stop recording. Meanwhile, Flamur Noka, when questioned by journalist Anesti Bajramemaj of A2 CNN about electoral responsibility and the Democratic Party’s leadership, responded to the journalist with disdain and deflection: “For all of you who take instructions from [Endri] Fuga…” He implied that journalists were acting on behalf of the government, refusing to answer the question directly and further escalating the tension between the protestors and journalists.
Other journalists were also directly obstructed, including Arestina Skenderi and Anesti Barjamemaj (A2 CNN), Daniela Maloku (Report TV), Esido Barkaj (Vizion Plus TV), and Besar Bajraktaraj (Klan TV), as well as their crews. Protesters were recorded blocking cameras, shouting insults, and physically surrounding media crews. Euronews Albania journalists withdrew from the protest for safety reasons.
These incidents represent direct attacks on individual journalists performing their professional duty to report, ask questions, and inform the public. When senior politicians publicly insult and belittle journalists, often using gendered and patronising language, they normalise hostility and create unsafe working conditions, particularly for women reporters. The physical aggression during the 16 May protest, including badge-grabbing, crowd intimidation, and camera obstruction, further highlights journalists’ safety risks when covering public events such as protests and elections.
The SafeJournalists Network urges the Democratic Party of Albania to apologise to the journalists targeted formally. We likewise call on all political actors in Albania to interact with the journalists in a respectful, transparent, and accountable manner, upholding the standards of democratic discourse and safeguarding journalists’ right to report freely and safely. We also urge media organisations to prioritise and ensure the safety and security of their journalists and crews working in the field.
We stand in full solidarity with Sara Demushi, Esiona Konomi, Daniela Maloku, Arestina Skënderi, Anesti Barjamemaj, Esido Barkaj, Besar Bajraktaraj, and all other journalists and media workers who were subjected to verbal abuse, intimidation, and aggression while performing their duties.
The SafeJournalists Network will inform national and international stakeholders about these troubling developments and continue to monitor the situation closely.
Any attack on journalists is an attack on democracy, public interest, and fundamental human rights.
Pristina – Skopje – Sarajevo – Zagreb – Belgrade – Podgorica, 17 May 2025
Association of Journalists of Kosovo
Association of Journalists of Macedonia
BH Journalists Association
Croatian Journalists’ Association
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Trade Union of Media of Montenegro
