The safety of journalists is fundamental to a democratic society, enabling them to report on public interest matters without fear of intimidation, legal harassment, or violence. However, often journalists, including in Albania, continue to face threats, such as Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) — legal actions designed to intimidate, silence, or financially exhaust those reporting on issues of public concern.

To address this, the EU and Council of Europe action on freedom of expression and of the media, in co-operation with the School of Magistrates, organised a cascade training for legal professionals, judges, prosecutors, and lawyers on advancing the safety of journalists with a focus on anti-SLAPP standards.

Two key legal instruments have recently been adopted to counter the abuse of SLAPPs:

• The EU Directive on SLAPPs (Directive (EU) 2024/1069)
• The Council of Europe Recommendation on SLAPPs (CM/Rec(2024)2)

The training followed an interactive approach, combining presentations, case studies, role-play exercises, and group discussions to enhance participants’ ability to apply these legal standards in real-world situations.

The Council of Europe and the School of Magistrates have a strong partnership in advancing freedom of expression and journalist protection. This training continues these efforts, ensuring Albanian legal professionals are well-equipped to uphold European standards in their judicial practice.

By fostering a judiciary that actively protects press freedom, Albania moves closer to fulfilling its EU accession commitments and creating a legal environment where journalists can operate without fear of undue legal pressure or retaliation.

With Albania advancing in its EU accession process and opening of Chapter 23 – Judiciary and Fundamental Rights, the government has committed to strengthening journalist protection, including measures against SLAPPs, as outlined in its EU Roadmap. A key commitment is the training of the judiciary on the appropriate handling of SLAPP cases.

The training was organised within the action on “Protecting freedom of expression and of the media in Albania” (PROFREX-A), implemented by the Council of Europe Division for Cooperation on Freedom of Expression. Тhe action is part of the joint European Union and the Council of Europe programme Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye.