The SafeJournalists Network condemns the threatening message sent to Albanian journalist Osman Stafa on 11 December, following his reporting on conditions and service failures at Tirana’s Oncology Hospital. The anonymous Instagram message, written in vulgar and aggressive language, explicitly warned him not to return to the Oncology Hospital, clearly aiming to intimidate him and obstruct his journalistic work.
Osman Stafa, a journalist with the News24 channel, is widely recognized for his reporting on healthcare, corruption, and public safety. His recent coverage has exposed persistent problems at the Oncology Hospital, including shortages of essential medicines, malfunctioning equipment, administrative shortcomings, and practices that harm patients. By sharing patient and family testimonies about inadequate treatment and high costs, he has contributed to greater public awareness and institutional accountability.
The SafeJournalists Network welcomes the fact that Stafa immediately filed an official complaint with the State Police and that an investigation has commenced. However, we underline that threats against journalists represent a serious attack on press freedom and require a prompt, thorough, and effective institutional response.
We call on the Albanian authorities, particularly the State Police and the Prosecution Office, to ensure that this case is treated as a priority, that the perpetrators are identified, and that journalists can report freely on matters of public interest, including the functioning of healthcare institutions, without fear of retaliation.
The SafeJournalists Network stands in solidarity with Osman Stafa and will continue to monitor developments in this case.
Every attack on journalists is an attack on democracy, the public interest, and fundamental human rights.
Pristina – Skopje – Sarajevo – Zagreb – Belgrade – Podgorica – Tirana, 12 December 2025
Association of Journalists of Macedonia
Association of Journalists of Kosovo
Croatian Journalists’ Association
Association of Journalists of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Trade Media Union of Montenegro
