We, the SafeJournalists Network, partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and Albanian media freedom organisations, express shared concern over the police blockade and subsequent events affecting Focus Media Group, News24, BalkanWeb, Panorama, Gazeta Shqiptare, and other affiliated outlets.

In the early hours of 9 August, State Police surrounded the building in Tirana where these outlets operate, cut the electricity supply, and blocked access for journalists and staff. This halted News24’s on-air broadcasting. According to Focus Media Group, no prior warning of effectively cutting off the broadcasting signal had been provided. 

The police action stems from a broader property dispute between the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation (MEKI) and Focus Media Group over leases and procedures. However, the heavy-handed police action has so far been carried out under unclear legal grounds and without due process. In the absence of a published legal basis, judicial and enforcement orders, or clear timeline and next steps, the legality and proportionality of the action remain in serious question.

As a result, since 9 August one of Albania’s leading national news broadcasters, News24, has been off air. As of 12 August 2025, there is still no clarity on when broadcasting will resume, nor on the future of the journalists, media workers, and support staff of Focus Media Group. This uncertainty undermines public trust, weakens pluralism, and risks a chilling effect on media freedom.

The impact on media workers is immediate and serious. Approximately 230 employees, journalists, media workers, and support staff, now face the risk of unemployment, with many already experiencing delayed salaries and unpaid social security and healthcare contributions. With the building blockaded and operations disrupted, their livelihoods and professional futures are at stake.

We therefore jointly call on the Albanian authorities to guarantee journalists’ right to work and safety and: 

• to provide a full, public explanation of the legal basis, necessity and urgency of the operation on Saturday early morning, 9 August 2025, including its timing, methods, proportionality, and whether less-restrictive alternatives were considered;
• to lift the police cordon, restore electricity, and allow free, unhindered access to newsrooms and reporting sites, without intimidation or interference; 
• to protect journalistic materials and infrastructure, refraining from any seizure or damage and ensuring secure access to equipment, archives, and transmission links; 
• to safeguard labour rights during disruption, coordinating with the Labour Inspectorate so wages and social contributions are paid and temporary premises and continuity arrangements are enabled; 
• to provide effective legal guarantees by publishing the legal basis and orders, setting out the timeline and conditions for lifting measures, ensuring an accessible avenue to challenge with suspensive effect where applicable, and coordinating with AMA while using the least-restrictive means to maintain continuity of news service; 
• to investigate any obstruction of journalists and ensure accountability; and to communicate regularly with the public.

We meanwhile call on the ownership and management of Focus Media Group:

• to act with urgency to safeguard employees’ livelihoods and rights, honour all legal and contractual obligations, and secure temporary premises and continuity plans to protect staff and maintain access to information for the public;
• to engage constructively with authorities to resolve the dispute lawfully and transparently with the least possible disruption to journalistic work and the public’s right to know;
• to ensure payment of wages and social contributions, safe access to equipment and data, and non-retaliation against staff during this disruption;
• to provide full transparency on the legal and contractual situation so employees and the public understand the basis of the dispute.

This is not merely a contractual dispute. It raises fundamental issues of due process, proportionality, media freedom, and the protection of journalists and media workers. All parties must act swiftly, transparently, and in the public interest to ensure these rights are respected and upheld.