Tag: Albania

The training was organised within the framework of the MATRA-supported project “Enhancing Cybersecurity, Data Protection and Resilience in Albania’s ICT Transformation” and forms part of BIRN Albania’s broader efforts to support journalists in navigating the rapidly evolving digital environment and reporting on emerging technological challenges affecting democratic societies.

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into public administration, business, media and everyday life, journalists face growing demands to understand how these technologies function, who develops and regulates them, and what risks and opportunities they create for citizens. At the same time, the expansion of surveillance capabilities and digital monitoring tools has raised important questions related to privacy, data protection, accountability and fundamental rights.

The sessions were led by Aleksandar Manasiev of NarrativAI and Aleksa Tesic of BIRN Serbia.

Manasiev focused on the development of artificial intelligence and the key issues journalists should understand when reporting on AI. Participants explored practical approaches to covering AI-related stories, including how to identify relevant actors, assess ethical and societal implications, understand regulatory developments and examine the impact of AI systems on different communities. The training also included practical guidance on the responsible and transparent use of AI tools in journalistic work.

Tesic introduced participants to recent developments in surveillance technologies, digital threats and monitoring practices. Through practical examples and case studies, journalists examined how surveillance tools are increasingly intersecting with issues of cybersecurity, human rights, privacy and media freedom, as well as how these topics can be investigated and reported in the public interest.

The training also provided a space for participants to discuss story ideas and reporting opportunities related to artificial intelligence, surveillance technologies and digital rights in Albania. As part of the project, participants will be invited to apply for a forthcoming BIRN Albania call for investigative story proposals focusing on the societal impact of emerging technologies, digital governance and information integrity.

By strengthening journalists’ understanding of these rapidly evolving issues, BIRN Albania aims to contribute to more informed public debate, greater accountability and stronger resilience against the risks associated with technological transformation.

As Albania advances its approximation with the European Union acquis, particularly under Chapters 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) and 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security), BIRN Albania has published a series of legislative briefings analysing key elements of the EU’s 2024 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) package. The materials, prepared by Transparency International EU within the project “Follow the Money: Strengthening Albania’s Anti-Money Laundering Initiatives”, cover areas including crypto-assets, beneficial ownership transparency, Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs), obliged entities, and real estate-related risks.

The European Union’s 2024 AML package represents the most comprehensive reform of its financial integrity framework in over a decade. It introduces a directly applicable single rulebook, strengthens transparency requirements, expands obligations for private-sector gatekeepers, enhances cooperation between Financial Intelligence Units, and establishes a new supranational supervisory authority — the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA).

These developments are particularly relevant for Albania’s ongoing legislative and institutional alignment process. The new EU framework reshapes how risks related to money laundering, organised crime proceeds, corruption-related assets and opaque ownership structures are identified, monitored and addressed. It also introduces important changes in areas such as beneficial ownership transparency, supervision of non-financial professions, access to registries, financial intelligence functions, and cross-border cooperation mechanisms.

The briefing papers are published in Albanian to support informed engagement by civil society organisations, journalists, researchers and other stakeholders in consultation processes related to these reforms. By making complex EU regulatory developments more accessible, the series aims to strengthen evidence-based public debate and support external monitoring of key areas, including:

• beneficial ownership transparency,
• supervision of obliged entities and professional intermediaries,
• the operational capacity and independence of the Financial Intelligence Agency,
• risks linked to organised crime proceeds and opaque ownership structures, and
• transparency in higher-risk sectors such as real estate and crypto-assets.

These publications seek to support broader engagement with the EU AML reform agenda and to strengthen the capacity of watchdog actors to contribute to accountability during the implementation of upcoming legislative changes. As Albania continues its alignment with European standards in financial transparency and integrity, informed participation by non-state stakeholders will remain essential to an effective and resilient anti-money laundering system.

Read the briefing papers (in Albanian):

1. Kuadri legjislativ i BE-së për kripto-asetet
2. Kuadri i BE-së për sektorin e pasurive të paluajtshme
3. Kuadri i BE-së për transparencën e pronësisë përfituese
4. Kuadri institucional i BE-së për Njësitë e Inteligjencës Financiare
5. Kuadri i BE-së për subjektet raportuese sipas paketës AML 2024

Covering the period from July 2025 to early January 2026, the reports examine developments across key areas of the Strategy, including electoral integrity and political finance transparency, media resilience and public awareness, national security and cybersecurity, as well as the protection of the economy and strategic sectors from external influence.

The monitoring was undertaken to provide an evidence-based baseline on the first six months of implementation of the Strategy, at a time when Albania is developing its institutional and regulatory response to increasingly complex forms of foreign interference. By assessing both institutional preparedness and initial actions, the reports aim to identify gaps, clarify priorities and support a more coordinated and effective implementation process in the coming years.

The findings show that implementation remains at an early stage, with most measures still in initial phases of planning or not yet initiated. Progress to date has been mainly linked to preparatory steps, institutional coordination efforts and activities building on existing frameworks, rather than the full operationalisation of the measures foreseen in the Strategy.

A key issue identified in the monitoring is the absence of core implementation mechanisms. The Action Plan for the Strategy has not yet been adopted, and the dedicated coordinating structure foreseen to lead institutional responses has not been established. These gaps have contributed to delays, fragmented approaches across institutions and differing interpretations regarding institutional roles and responsibilities.

The reports also highlight that a significant number of measures require the development of new legal and regulatory frameworks, as well as stronger interinstitutional coordination. This is particularly relevant in areas such as transparency of political financing, regulation of online political advertising, protection of critical infrastructure, and oversight of foreign investments in strategic sectors.

At the same time, initial steps have been observed in areas such as cybersecurity, international cooperation and public awareness initiatives, including media literacy. However, these efforts remain fragmented and require further consolidation within a coherent institutional framework.

The reports are intended to support public institutions, policymakers, civil society organisations, media actors and international partners engaged in governance, security and democratic resilience, by providing a clear and structured assessment of current progress and outstanding challenges. They also aim to contribute to ongoing policy discussions on strengthening Albania’s capacity to prevent and respond to foreign interference and disinformation.

The reports have been prepared with the support of the FCDO through the British Embassy in Tirana, as part of the project “Strengthening Albania’s Information Environment: Countering Disinformation and Enhancing Institutional Resilience”.

Both reports are available in Albanian and English:

Monitoring Report on Electoral Integrity, Media Resilience and Public Awareness: English and Albanian

Monitoring Report on National Security, Economy and Strategic Sectors: English and Albanian

The report ‘Campaign Financing for the 2025 Parliamentary Elections in Albania: Sources, Expenditures and Reporting Transparency’ analyses official financial reports submitted to the Central Electoral Commission (CEC), combining structured datasets with comparative financial analysis to identify key trends in campaign expenditures, sources of funding and reporting inconsistencies that influence the transparency of electoral competition.

According to the report, electoral subjects declared approximately 485 million ALL (around €4.9 million) in campaign expenditures. Financial resources were strongly concentrated among the two largest political blocs, which together accounted for more than 88% of total campaign spending, confirming a pronounced structural imbalance in campaign financing between major political actors and smaller electoral subjects.

The analysis shows that campaign spending was primarily directed toward a limited number of strategic categories related to political communication and campaign management, including consultancy services, media advertising, social media promotion and campaign rallies. Consultancy services and media represented the largest spending categories, much of it concentrated among a limited number of providers.

At the same time, the report finds that campaign financing in Albania continues to rely primarily on internal party resources and public funding allocations, while contributions from individual donors represent a comparatively smaller share of reported income. Approximately two-thirds of declared campaign income falls within the category of internally generated party funds, a classification that often includes transfers from party structures and previously accumulated financial reserves. However, the report highlights that this category remains one of the least transparent components of campaign financing, as detailed source breakdowns are frequently not provided in financial statements.

While political parties formally complied with reporting obligations established under Albania’s electoral framework, the report identifies several structural limitations affecting the accessibility, comparability and completeness of campaign finance information, including limited standardisation of expenditure descriptions, insufficient detail regarding certain categories such as consultancy and social media services, and restricted availability of machine-readable datasets for independent analysis by civil society and researchers.

The findings provide an evidence-based contribution to ongoing discussions on political finance transparency and electoral integrity safeguards in Albania, particularly in light of recent legislative amendments affecting campaign expenditure ceilings and reporting obligations. By systematising financial data submitted to the Central Electoral Commission, the report supports efforts by institutions, civil society organisations and international partners to strengthen oversight mechanisms and improve the transparency of campaign financing practices.

This report was prepared by BIRN Albania with the support of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), within the framework of the project “Western Balkans Framework: Investing in Democratic Resilience”, funded by the FCDO through the British Embassy in Tirana.

For an English copy of the report click here.

For an Albanian copy of the report click here.

“Annual Report 2025: Tracking Albania’s Progress on Media Freedom and Journalistic Safety in Line with European Union Standards,” assesses institutional reforms, legal developments and the working conditions of journalists in the context of Albania’s EU accession process.

It finds that while some procedural steps were taken to strengthen safeguards for media freedom and freedom of expression, many structural challenges affecting the media environment remain.

According to the report, journalists in Albania continue to face pressure, intimidation and limited access to information. Survey findings included in the study show that a significant number of journalists reported experiencing threats or intimidation related to their work. Many said they did not feel fully free to report without fear of consequences or political pressure.

The report also highlights the challenges faced by journalists during the 2025 parliamentary elections, which served as a practical test of media independence. Many journalists covering the campaign reported difficulties in accessing information and described increased political pressure during the electoral period, raising concerns about the impact of election dynamics on editorial independence.

The report also draws attention to persistent issues affecting women journalists, including gender-based harassment and professional pressures that may influence editorial decision-making.

While acknowledging several regulatory developments – including steps towards improving transparency in media ownership and discussions on aligning national legislation with EU frameworks such as the European Media Freedom Act – the report concludes that stronger implementation and institutional accountability are needed to ensure effective protection of journalists and a more independent media environment.

The report forms part of broader efforts to monitor Albania’s progress on media freedom and journalists’ safety and to support reforms aligned with European standards.

It was produced within the framework of the project “Strengthening Media Freedom, Professionalism, and Journalists’ Safety in Albania,” implemented by BIRN Albania in partnership with SCiDEV and Qendra Faktoje, with financial support from the European Union.

For an English copy of the report click here.

For an Albanian copy of the report click here.

The case challenged a March 2025 decision of the Council of Ministers ordering temporary measures to prevent the “negative effects” of the online platform.

Albania’s Constitutional Court ruled on Tuesday that a government decision to block the social media platform TikTok violated freedom of expression and press freedom, partially upholding a complaint filed by journalist organisations.

The case was brought by the Association of Journalists of Albania and the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, BIRN Albania, which challenged a March 2025 decision of the Council of Ministers ordering temporary measures to prevent the “negative effects” of the online platform.

In its decision dated March 11, the court concluded that the government’s move to interrupt access to TikTok constituted a restriction on freedom of expression and media freedom protected by the Albanian constitution.

The judges found that although the government’s stated aim of protecting children and young people from harmful online content constituted a legitimate public interest, the measure failed to meet key constitutional criteria.

Specifically, the court determined that the government lacked a clear legal basis to impose a nationwide suspension of access to an online platform and that the measure was disproportionate.

“The interruption of access to the TikTok platform constitutes a restriction on freedom of expression and freedom of the press,” the court stated, adding that the restriction did not satisfy constitutional requirements that limitations on rights must be prescribed by law and proportionate.

Although the contested decision was later repealed by the government and is no longer part of the legal framework, the court said it continued examining the case because it raised issues of public interest and required clarification for future actions by public authorities.

The court therefore partially accepted the complaint and formally recognised that the implementation of the government decision had violated freedom of expression and press freedom.

The report ‘Narratives of Division: Mapping Identity-Based Disinformation in Albania – Monitoring of Albania’s Information Ecosystem (2022–2025)’ analyses how narratives targeting identity, including gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation, are increasingly used in disinformation campaigns to deepen polarisation and undermine trust in institutions.

The research is based on the monitoring of Albania’s information ecosystem between 2022 and 2025, examining online media content, social media discourse and coordinated narratives that target identity-related issues. The analysis aims to identify key actors, recurring narratives and patterns of amplification within the country’s information environment.

The study highlights how identity-based disinformation operates as a powerful tool within contemporary information manipulation strategies. Rather than relying solely on factual falsehoods, such narratives often exploit existing social prejudices and stereotypes in order to mobilise emotions, reinforce group divisions and influence political debates. Research shows that these narratives can have broader consequences for democratic participation, social cohesion and the safety of targeted communities.

According to the report, identity-based disinformation campaigns frequently weaponise issues related to gender, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation in order to provoke hostility against specific groups while simultaneously undermining democratic institutions. By amplifying polarising narratives and framing social issues as existential threats, such campaigns contribute to the erosion of trust in democratic processes and public debate.

The report also emphasises that identity-focused narratives are commonly used within broader information manipulation strategies, including foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI). These operations often combine misleading narratives with coordinated tactics such as impersonation of media outlets, fabricated documents and coordinated amplification across social media platforms in order to increase their reach and credibility.

Through its analysis, the report aims to contribute to a better understanding of how identity-based narratives are used in disinformation campaigns and to support efforts by civil society, journalists and institutions to strengthen resilience against such threats.

The publication forms part of BIRN Albania’s broader work on monitoring disinformation, analysing information manipulation trends and supporting evidence-based responses to emerging challenges in the information environment. The research was supported by the European Union Delegation to Albania.

For an English copy of the report click here.

For an Albanian copy of the report click here.

This call supports three journalistic or research projects that examine structural, legal, technological, or social factors shaping the environment for independent journalism. Selected applicants will receive financial support to cover research and reporting costs, as well as editorial mentoring by experienced BIRN editors.

The call is implemented within the framework of the EU-funded project “Strengthening Media Freedom, Professionalism and Journalists’ Safety in Albania”, implemented by BIRN Albania together with SCiDEV and Qendra Faktoje.

The project seeks to strengthen monitoring and public accountability around freedom of expression and journalists’ safety by equipping local journalists and researchers with the skills, resources, and editorial support needed to document violations, risks, and systemic challenges.

The grants to local journalists and researchers to produce research papers or media analyses should prioritize one of the following topics:

• Impact of media concentration and political interference in the editorial independence;
• Impact of social media and technology on professional journalism;
• Threats and online harassment of journalists;
• Protection mechanisms / impunity for attacks on journalists;
• Challenges in reporting from local and rural areas;
• Barriers to female journalists’ safety and advancement;
• Ethical reporting on gender, minorities or marginalized communities;
• Working conditions and labour rights of journalists and media workers in Albania;
• Role of disinformation, propaganda or foreign information manipulations and interference (FIMI) in the information ecosystem.

The awarded journalists and researchers will receive a scholarship of 1,500 euros gross (minus personal income tax). They will have three months to dig deeper and research their ideas. They will also have the opportunity to work with experienced editors as mentors to guide them through the process of writing in accordance with ethical standards.

We encourage the submission of proposals for the production of relevant content by individuals or teams. We support various forms, including investigations, data-rich stories and research papers. The call only applies to journalists and researchers from Albania with previous experience on this topic.

All applicants must be independent and free from conflicts of interest in the responsibilities they undertake. Applicants may submit more than one application, but only one proposal per candidate may be awarded.

Interested candidates should send their proposals in Albanian language by email to: [email protected], including: completed application form (Click here to download the form); a CV and two examples of their previous work.

Application Deadline: March 16, 2026.