The South Eastern Europe Media Organization expressed their concern for the grave media freedom violations in Albania.
SEEMO published a press release referring to the beating of Top Channel’s cameraman by the police.
“On April 7th, in Albania, a cameraman from one of the main TV outlets in Albania, who was following a football match between Tirana and Skanderbeg, was beaten by the police, was not allowed to film and was sent to the police district, where other police officers used violence against him. This happened after an accident between the fans and the police. According to the police, the cameraman was taken to the office because he refused to identify himself. They say that they didn’t use violence and that he was released immediately. Top Channel denies these declarations as untrue”.
SEEMO underlines that this is not the first attack undertaken against Top Channel. On March 2013, the studios of Top Channel were surrounded by police after the state took a decision without prior notice to end a lease agreement with Top Channel.
This media outlet, according to SEEMO, took a letter from a Minister who announced the unilateral ending of the agreement, which was valid until 2025.
SEEMO also refers to other developments in Southeastern Europe, where there have been similar attacks against the media and journalists.
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