The SafeJournalists Network is gravely concerned by the police operation carried out in the early hours of 9 August 2025 against Focus Media Group in Tirana, namely News24, BalkanWeb, Panorama, and Gazeta Shqiptare. According to the official communication by Focus Media Group, in the early hours of the morning of the 9th August 2025, State Police surrounded the building where these outlets operate, cut the electricity supply, and thereby left News24 without a broadcasting signal. Journalists were prevented from entering their newsrooms, effectively halting the work of multiple editorial teams and depriving the public of access to their content on air. From 10:00 a.m., News24 resumed broadcasting via its YouTube channel.

The building is reportedly the subject of a property dispute involving the state-owned arms company KAYO, which was granted ownership earlier this year. The SafeJournalists Network reminds that while such disputes may occur, any action impacting media outlets must follow due legal process, be based on a clear legal mandate, and ensure minimal interference with journalistic work and the right of the public to know. Sufficient time must also be given to the media outlet to relocate and secure alternative premises, in order to ensure the smooth continuation of its operations and avoid disrupting the work of journalists.

As per the information made publicly available so far by representatives of the Focus Media Group, there was no prior notice to the outlets, no publicly available court decision or legal order to justify the electricity cut and blockade, and the operation was conducted early on a Saturday morning, when staffing levels and public attention are typically low. At the time of issuing this statement, no official statement or notification has been made by the State Police or any other authorities regarding the legal basis, motives, or duration of the action.

Regardless of any issues concerning the Focus Media Group itself, their editorial stance, or internal challenges, today’s unprecedented intervention is alarming and demands urgent attention from all stakeholders committed to safeguarding media freedom and democratic processes.

We call on the Albanian authorities to immediately lift the blockade, restore electricity, and allow full and unhindered access for journalists to their workplaces. The authorities should provide a clear public explanation of the legal grounds and authorisation for this action.We insist that any future measures involving media outlets be carried out strictly in line with due process, under judicial oversight, and with the principle of least interference with journalistic activity. While the primary responsibility lies with the authorities to respect and protect media freedom and citizens’ right to information, we also urge the owners and shareholders of both the media outlets and the premises involved to engage constructively and urgently to find a solution that safeguards the work, safety, and stability of journalists, and ensures uninterrupted access to information for the public.

We stand in solidarity with the journalists and media workers affected by the situation at News24, BalkanWeb, Panorama, and Gazeta Shqiptare.

Every attack on journalists is an attack on democracy, the public interest, and fundamental human rights.

Pristina – Skopje – Sarajevo – Zagreb – Belgrade – Podgorica, August 9 , 2025

Croatian Journalists’ Association
 Association of Journalists of Kosovo
 Association of Journalists of Macedonia
 BH Journalists Association
 Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
 Trade Union of Media of Montenegro

Source: IJAS

Foto: Canva