The Criminal Code is expected to be amended at the end of January, putting an end to criminal penalties for insult and defamation.
Through an initiative launched by Democratic Party MP Jorida Tabaku, and also supported by the Socialist majority, Albania is paving the way for a long-awaited reform requested for years by the European Union and international organizations, aimed at strengthening freedom of expression.
Under the proposed amendments, defamation and insult will no longer be criminal offenses and will no longer be punishable by either fines or imprisonment.
However, the legal framework will continue to protect those harmed through civil lawsuits.
“Defamation is being requested to be abolished as a criminal offense. This is demanded by the OSCE, the Council of Europe, and every other international organization,” said Isa Myzyraj, Chairman of the Association of Journalists of Albania.
At the same time, amendments to the Criminal Code foresee prison sentences of up to five years for threats or violence against media workers carried out because of their professional duties. This proposal has sparked debate over the legal definition of a journalist.
“The definition of journalists must not be controlled by the government. If the government writes who is a journalist, I protest,” Myzyraj declared.
Democratic MP Jorida Tabaku also raised questions on the issue:
“If I leave politics tomorrow and express opinions in the media, am I a journalist?”
On the other hand, Socialist MP Iris Luarasi emphasized that the profession requires clear rules.
“A badge does not make you a journalist. You must be part of a structured system with rules. We cannot give freedom to all defamers to write whatever comes to their minds.”
In the same vein, Erjon Tase, Director of the Albanian State Police (ASP), suggested that journalism should be linked to professional organizations.
“Who are journalists? Let them have membership cards in associations,” he said.
Media organizations also raised concerns about the risk of abolishing penalties for incitement to hatred.
“The poisoning of online spaces is a serious problem, and even the European Union is taking measures,” Tase stated.
Legal experts are expected to present additional proposals in the first days of January, related to journalists’ responsibility in publishing classified information.
