Albanian journalists warn reporters are being targeted at protests

Albania’s journalists’ association has raised concern over protest banners and messages aimed at reporters and media workers in Tirana.

The group said protesters have every right to criticise how media outlets report the news.

But it warned that criticism should not turn into blanket attacks on journalists or create a hostile climate around them.

It said verbal abuse, intimidation and calls to discredit the media weaken the public’s right to be informed.

The association said journalists are not enemies of protesters and must be able to report on demonstrations freely.

It said the right to protest and press freedom must both be protected.