Reporting is being criminalized: Journalists are being targeted in Albania

The new Penal Code, which is expected to be considered by the Albanian parliament in September, has raised serious concerns about press freedom and the role of journalism in Albania as a pillar of democracy. Behind the legal language of the draft, many see a dangerous shift towards silencing investigative journalism and criminalizing information.

Criminalization of information disclosure

According to Article 516 of the new draft, a prison sentence of two to six years is provided for the disclosure of “confidential or secret” information related to witnesses or collaborators of Justice. Although the intention to protect those involved in sensitive criminal cases is legitimate, the wording of the article is quite general, leaving room for arbitrary interpretation.

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Particularly problematic is the third paragraph of the same article, which increases the penalty if the disclosure is made through any form of publication – which may include journalistic investigations or reports that bring to light irregularities or abuses. This provision directly targets the media and journalists performing their duties.

Interference with freedom of criticism

Το άρθρο 536, που αφορά τον «επηρεασμό της ανεξαρτησίας της Δικαιοσύνης», προβλέπει ποινή έως και τριών ετών για «δημόσια σχόλια» που αποσκοπούν στο να επηρεάσουν την κρίση του δικαστηρίου. Με άλλα λόγια, η δημοσιογραφική ή ακόμη και ακαδημαϊκή κριτική απέναντι σε δικαστικές αποφάσεις, ερμηνείες ή πρόσωπα, μπορεί να ποινικοποιηθεί ως “απόπειρα επιρροής”. Η διατύπωση είναι εξαιρετικά γενική και αφήνει περιθώρια για καταστολή κάθε φωνής που ασκεί πίεση για περισσότερη διαφάνεια και λογοδοσία στη Δικαιοσύνη.

A step towards information control

This new framework, if implemented as proposed, poses serious risks to press freedom in Albania. Instead of strengthening the protection of citizens and the functioning of institutions, it appears to strengthen the control of information, limit the possibility of criticism, and criminalize investigative journalism.

This is a worrying development that may be used selectively, to the detriment of independent media and journalists who dare to touch on sensitive issues, revealing irregularities and cases of corruption.