The SafeJournalists Network expresses serious concern over reports that Albanian State Police officers obstructed media crews covering the protest outside the Parliament of Albania in Tirana on 8 October 2026.
The protest took place while Parliament debated the territorial reform. Police closed off the streets leading to Parliament with cordons and metal barriers, and media reported around 1,200 officers deployed. Tensions escalated when protesters pushed against the cordon and removed barriers, and eggs and pyrotechnics were thrown at officers. Police responded with pepper spray and tear gas, and several people needed medical assistance. Journalists covering the protest were clearly identifiable by their press credentials and cameras and repeatedly identified themselves to police as members of the media. In addition to being obstructed in their reporting, some journalists were also affected by the pepper spray and tear gas while covering the protest.
These are the moments when the public most needs journalists on the ground. A security perimeter must not become a way of keeping cameras away from events the public has a right to see, including the conduct of the police.
Today’s reports are not isolated. In the past three weeks alone, the Network has reacted to the second detention of Citizens.al journalist Vjolanda Peca while she reported from a protest outside Parliament, and to the reported seizure of Syri TV journalist Albana Aliaj’s phone and deletion of her footage by police officers in Durrës. In July, the Network had already called for safe reporting conditions at the protests in Tirana. The State Police adopted a Protocol for the Safety of Journalists in May 2025. What journalists are reporting from the field shows it is not being applied.
The SafeJournalists Network calls on the General Directorate of the Albanian State Police to instruct officers deployed at public assemblies, immediately and clearly, that journalists, camera operators and photographers must be able to move and work freely. The authorities should review the reports gathered without delay, state publicly on what grounds media crews were restricted on 8 October, and hold accountable any officer who obstructed journalists without justification. The Network further calls on them to apply the Protocol for the Safety of Journalists at every public assembly and to report publicly on its implementation.
The Network also calls on the Police Oversight Agency to examine the conduct of officers towards media crews during the protest.
Journalists are not a party to the protest. The Network equally calls on everyone taking part in public assemblies to respect media crews and refrain from any obstruction, intimidation or attack against them.
The SafeJournalists Network will continue to document the reported cases, monitor the situation and inform relevant national and international stakeholders.
Pristina – Skopje – Sarajevo – Zagreb – Belgrade – Podgorica – Tirana, 8 October 2026
Association of Journalists of Albania
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
