State media, regulator and press pressure, 2017-2026
Status: ongoing; October 2026 protests
Summary
The state runs its own channel and information agency, and regulators have been filled with government allies. Press-freedom ratings have moved in both directions: RSF rose from 99th (2024) to 80th (2025), then fell to 83rd (2026). RSF's 2026 country page still says that politicians weaken editorial independence by influencing regulators and appointing public media leaders, that media ownership is concentrated in four or five companies, and that state funding is distributed in an opaque and discriminatory way.
Rama has publicly insulted journalists for years. Exit catalogued more than 30 insults between 2017 and 2020 (for example 'trashcans', 'parasites', 'liars', 'enemies'). In March 2026 he expelled two journalists from a press conference. In October 2026, during protests, RSF documented 28 incidents affecting at least 23 media workers, with at least 12 physically attacked between 13 and 19 October, and reported that Rama accused the owner of News24 of inventing reports on student unrest.
Key facts
- RSF World Press Freedom Index: 99th (2024, score 54.10), 80th (2025, score 58.18), 83rd (2026, score 56.52). Political indicator 36.56 (rank 121) in 2026, economic 33.77 (rank 137).
- RSF 2026 economic note: media ownership concentrated in four or five companies; state funding opaque and discriminatory.
- Media and Information Agency created 2021; director named by PM order dated 29 Sept 2021 (FOI response, per Exit).
- Anti-defamation package passed by Parliament in December 2019, reportedly 82 for, 13 against, 5 abstentions; CPJ criticised it on 19 Dec 2019.
- Exit catalogue: insults recorded on 9 Nov 2017, 26 Dec 2018, 21 Jun 2019, 22 Nov 2019, 18 Dec 2019, 4 Feb 2020 (group of four), 14 Feb 2020 (group of five), and two later dated items (12 Mar 2020, 16 Oct 2020).
- RSF on 21 Oct 2026: at least 12 journalists and media workers physically attacked 13-19 Oct 2026; 28 incidents affecting at least 23 media professionals.
- 13 March 2026: Rama expelled journalists Ambrozia Meta and Isa Myzyaj from a press conference (reported by Nuns.rs, date as reported).
The record
Four lists kept apart on purpose: what is established, what is only alleged, what is still open, and what those concerned said.
What is proven (2)
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
- RSF's rank and score figures for 2024-2026, as listed on RSF's country page.
- The 2021 MIA creation and its director's appointment (FOI response, reported by Exit).
What is alleged (1)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationRama's direct intervention to shape coverage (only his public insults and his own statements are documented).
Allegations and who made them (2)
Each line is an allegation as recorded, with the person or body that made it where the record names them.
- AllegationState messaging runs through ERTV and MIA in a way that gives the government a one-way channel (reported by press freedom groups; not proven).
- AllegationGovernment advertising is distributed to favoured outlets (state advertising route is not publicly itemised; see gaps).
Open questions (3)
- ERTV budget and funding line (not published per press freedom groups).
- Government advertising by outlet, 2021-2026 (APP procurement data not checked).
- Ownership links between government contractors and TV stations (not documented here).
Responses (2)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Rama dismissed criticism of MIA and said he would close the agency if critics showed sound arguments against it; he invited journalists to prove that the agency hinders media freedom (Exit, 2021).
- Rama said the 2019 anti-defamation package would not enter the Criminal Code and that defamation cases would go to courts (as reported by Shqiptarja in 2019).
Figures
Money trail →Government advertising spend, 2014 (about EUR 17 million, about 60% to TV)
€17,000,000
paymentSource label: Under investigationStated definition: Approximate, from a 2014 figure reported by Top Channel; no Rama-era (2021-2026) state advertising total found. Undated in parts of the source chain.
Date: 2014 · Payer: Government (state advertising through agencies and public companies) · Payee: Media outlets (about 60% TV)
- Transparency for media advertisements (opens in a new tab)Top Channel · 2014 · journalism · EN
Timeline
Full timeline →Parliament
Anti-defamation package passed by Parliament (82 for, 13 against, 5 abstentions)
Parliament passed the anti-defamation package with last-minute amendments that spared portals from closure but kept fines. CPJ condemned the amendments on 19 December 2019. The Council of Europe's media freedom rapporteur asked Parliament to drop the package. The Venice Commission later issued an opinion (see ev-2020-06-venice-opinion). Rama said the package would not enter the Criminal Code and that defamation cases belong to the courts.
Media
Rama insults journalists as 'trashcans', 'parasites', 'hypocrites', 'lazy' (Exit catalogue)
Exit's catalogue of Rama's remarks to journalists lists this group on 4 February 2020, with other dated items on 9 Nov 2017 ('fake news'), 26 Dec 2018 ('poison'), 21 Jun 2019 ('liars'), 22 Nov 2019 ('enemies'), 18 Dec 2019 ('illiterate', 'human rights abusers') and 14 Feb 2020 ('shut up', 'stupid', 'tormentor'). The catalogue also has undated items such as 'dogs', 'disgusting', 'idiotic', 'corrupt media machine'. The word 'kazan' was not found in this catalogue.
Government
PM order names Endri Fuga director of the Media and Information Agency
According to an official freedom-of-information response reported by Exit, the Prime Minister's order dated 29 September 2021 appointed Rama's long-time spokesperson, Endri Fuga, as director of the Media and Information Agency, a public legal entity under the Prime Minister's control.
International
RSF 2025 index: Albania 80th of 180 (up from 99th), score 58.18
Albania rose 19 places to 80th in RSF's 2025 index (score 58.18, up from 54.10). The European Parliament welcomed the rise. The RSF country page shows 2025 sub-scores: political 38.62 (rank 119), economic 31.69 (rank 147), legal 69.51 (rank 53), social 65.85 (rank 68), security 85.21 (rank 70).
Media
Rama expels journalists Ambrozia Meta and Isa Myzyaj from a press conference
On 13 March 2026 Rama expelled two journalists from a press conference. The European Federation of Journalists said it had documented several instances of verbal abuse by Rama, mainly discrediting.
International
Freedom House FIW 2026: Albania 69/100, Partly Free
The 2026 Freedom in the World edition gives Albania 69/100 (Political Rights 28/40, Civil Liberties 41/60), up one point from 68 in the 2025 edition. Freedom House notes that corruption and bribery remain major problems and that the political parties are highly polarised and often organised around leading personalities. Citizens.al describes 67-68 as the range for 2021-2025 (stagnation).
International
RSF 2026 index: Albania falls to 83rd (score 56.52) after 80th in 2025
RSF's 2026 index ranks Albania 83rd of 180 (score 56.52, down from 58.18). RSF's country page lists 2026 sub-scores: political 36.56 (rank 121), economic 33.77 (rank 137), legal 66.63 (rank 64), social 60.23 (rank 91), security 85.39 (rank 70). RSF notes the drop dismayed Rama.
Media
At least 12 journalists attacked during protests, 13-19 October 2026 (RSF count)
RSF documented 28 incidents affecting at least 23 media professionals between 13 and 19 October 2026, including at least 12 physically attacked while covering protests. RSF called on Rama to stop intimidating the media for reporting on protests. Counts come from RSF's documentation and were not independently checked here.
Media
Rama accuses News24 owner of inventing student-protest reports (RSF account)
According to RSF, on 18 October 2026 Rama accused the owner of News24 of fabricating accounts of student unrest to topple the government. RSF calls the claim baseless. Rama's own wording was not quoted by RSF and no direct response was found.
Connections
RSF links Rama's rhetoric to attacks on reporters in October 2026
Evidence: RSF calls on Rama to stop intimidating the media; the attacks are documented by RSF, perpetrators not identified in this pass.
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 14 sources.
Source label: VerifiedVerified · 5 sources
- Publisher
- SafeJournalists
- Date
- 2026
- Publisher
- Gazeta Tema
- Date
- 2 May 2025
- Publisher
- RSF
- Date
- 2026
- Publisher
- Freedom House
- Date
- 2026
- Publisher
- Citizens.al
- Date
- 20 Mar 2026
Source label: Under investigationUnder investigation · 9 sources
- Publisher
- RSF
- Date
- 21 Oct 2026
- Publisher
- Exit.al
- Date
- 6 Feb 2020
- Publisher
- Telegrafi
- Date
- Dec 2019
- Albanian authorities pursue highly problematic media laws despite public outcry (opens in a new tab)
- Publisher
- ECPMF
- Date
- Dec 2019
- Publisher
- Exit.al
- Date
- Oct 2021
- Publisher
- NUNS (Serbian journalists union)
- Date
- 13 Mar 2026
- Publisher
- Top Channel
- Date
- 2014
- Publisher
- ARTICLE 19
- Date
- 2021
- Publisher
- Media Observatory (BiH)
- Date
- 2014