Albanian public authorities and key actors in the field reaffirmed their dedication to enhancing freedom of expression and media freedom, in line with European standards.

During the 3^rd Steering Committee meeting of the European Union and Council of Europe joint action on “Protecting freedom of expression and of the Media in Albania” (PRO-FREX-A) that took place in Tirana, representatives from public institutions discussed the efforts to improve the environment for the exercise of the rights on freedom of expression by journalists and media actors. Building on the foundations laid during the first two years of the action, partners and beneficiaries of PRO-FREX-A continue to demonstrate strong commitment to institutional collaboration. This effort remains vital in improving the media landscape and ensuring alignment with Albania’s EU accession priorities.

The Action maintains robust partnerships with the School of Magistrates, the Bar Association, the State Police Directorate, and the Audio-Visual Media Authority. These collaborations are central to the Action’s work across three strategic pillars:

1. Capacity-building for judiciary and law enforcement on European standards, particularly Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights;

2. Institutional support to the Audio-Visual Media Authority, enhancing its independence and operational effectiveness;

3. Promotion of media self-regulation, fostering professional and ethical journalism.

The Steering Committee acknowledged the progress made and reiterated the shared responsibility to safeguard media freedom, recognising it as a cornerstone of democratic society and a critical aspect of Albania’s European integration journey.

The action  “Protecting freedom of expression and of the media in Albania”, implemented by the Council of Europe Division for Cooperation on Freedom of Expression is part of the joint European Union and the Council of Europe programme Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye.