OSCE Representative condemns attacks on journalists in Albania

VIENNA, 5 June 2015 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today said recent attacks and threats against journalists in Albania are unacceptable.

On 2 June, Aurora Koromani, journalist with the Gazeta Shqiptare newspaper, received a threat from an alleged Islamic militant. She reported the threat to the police who deemed it as serious, and the police are now providing protection for Koromani.

In another incident on 4 June, a car belonging to Enver Doci, a television journalist with News 24 TV, was set on fire and destroyed in the town of Burrel in northern Albania.

“These attacks are totally unacceptable and they constitute a direct threat to free media,” Mijatović said. “I welcome the fact that the authorities quickly have launched investigations of these incidents, and that the police are providing protection for Koromani. There must be no impunity for attacks or threats against journalists.”

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.