On June 9, 2025, the roundtable “Advancing the Safety and Protection of Journalists in Albania” convened key stakeholders to discuss actionable reforms for enhancing journalist safety and freedom of expression. Held under the EU/Council of Europe “PRO-FREX” action, the event highlighted collaborative approaches and policy mechanisms to strengthen protections for media professionals in Albania.

In a keynote speech, Tamara Filipović Stefanović, Coordinator of the SafeJournalists Network in the Western Balkans, stressed that “freedom of the press cannot exist without the safety of journalists.” She called on Albanian and regional institutions to demonstrate greater political will and ensure that commitments translate into real impact on the ground.

Filipović reaffirmed the SafeJournalists Network’s commitment to offering concrete support, including policy proposals, monitoring mechanisms, and capacity-building initiatives. She highlighted the need for accountability and consistent institutional follow-up, noting that without secure working conditions, independent journalism and democratic accountability are at risk.

The roundtable also featured personal accounts from journalists facing increasing pressure. Ola Xama and Isa Myzyraj highlighted threats, censorship, and the lack of safeguards. Their messages echoed Filipović’s call for urgent and structural improvements.

Institutional representatives acknowledged gaps in legislation, prosecution practices, and inter-agency coordination. While new protocols and campaigns, such as the Council of Europe’s “Journalists Matter”, mark progress, concerns remain over the practical implementation of reforms.

Dr. Blerjana Bino (researcher, SafeJournalists Network) cautioned against performative reforms, urging a shift toward a democratic culture of protection. Giulia Re (Council of Europe) closed the event by calling for actionable solutions, noting that media freedom is central to Albania’s EU path.

The roundtable reinforced the SafeJournalists Network’s message: journalist safety is not optional – it is fundamental to a functioning democracy.