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Why defamation should be fully decriminalised in Albania

By Isa Myzyraj, Journalist and Chairperson of the Association of Journalists of Albania (AJA) For more than a decade, dozens of journalists and media outlets in Albania have been dragged through the country’s criminal courts, accused mainly of defamation and insult. At first glance, these are provisions that protect individual reputation. In practice, they have been transformed into instruments of pressure and intimidation against the media. In the overwhelming majority of cases, criminal lawsuits have not been initiated by ordinary citizens seeking protection from defamation, but by politicians, high public officials, and companies with economic power. The purpose has not…

Ukraine: No power, no heat, no water – how journalists in Kyiv keep working amid blackouts and freezing temperatures

By Valeriia Muskharina (Information Service of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine) This winter in Ukraine has become another severe test. Large-scale Russian attacks targeting energy infrastructure have caused constant power outages and heating disruptions, while temperatures have dropped to −25 °C. These conditions have made everyday life extremely difficult and forced people to find ways to stay warm and meet basic needs. For journalists in Kyiv, such realities create additional obstacles while working outdoors, preparing materials, and maintaining communication. Routine tasks such as charging equipment or filming a story have turned into tests of endurance. To help journalists…