Freedom House: There are media in Albania receiving funds from Russia, Serbia, China and Iran

According to this report, about 45 televisions and 800 online media operate in Albania. Part of these media, according to Freedom House, also receive funds from Russia, Serbia, China and Iran.

“Viti 2021 was challenging to journalists because of threats, harassment and terrible working conditions. According to the Union of Albanian Journalists (UAJ), there are about 45 TV and 800 online media operating throughout the country and receive funds from abroad, including financial support from Russia, Iran, China, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece and Italy, or organised crime, especially online media”, are said among other things in this report.

Speaking of the media field, the report also highlights serious working conditions for journalists, where a large portion are employed without contracts and with extremely small salaries.

Another concern is the control of a large part of the media, by a small group of people, with close ties to political parties, who blackmail and discredit people who speak against their interests, or the political parties they support.

“Approximately eight people control most of the media market in Albania84 and use these platforms to lobby their interests and maintain close ties with political parties. They also rely on blackmail or discrediting persons who speak against their own interests or the political parties they support. Albania's market concentration poses a high risk to plurality and media independence”, says Freedom House report on Albania.