Albanian prosecutors and judges who serve as media magistrates in their judicial institutions participated in a two-day intensive training aimed at enhancing their understanding of freedom of expression standards and improving their media communication skills.

The training spanned various critical topics, familiarising participants with European standards on freedom of expression and the media, as well as the relevant Albanian legal framework. Key areas of focus included understanding the media landscape and the nature of news, developing effective key messages, and preparing for successful media interactions. The sessions also covered being media-ready during crises and communicating effectively in response to crises.

To achieve these goals, the trainers employed a mix of informative, collaborative, and application-based learning methods. These included anonymised case analyses in groups and hands on communications exercises, ensuring that participants could apply their new skills in practical scenarios.

This training event marks a fundamental step in enhancing the communication capacity of media magistrates, equipping them to handle the complexities of media interactions and uphold the principles of freedom of expression while handling media requests. 

This activity was organised within the framework of the action on “Protecting freedom of expression and of the media in Albania”, implemented by the Council of Europe Division for Co-operation on Freedom of Expression. It is part of the joint European Union and the Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.