Without any court ruling, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has shut down the television channel News24. This is yet another attack on freedom of speech and a blow to democracy in the country, BGNES reported. On August 11, 2025, the News24 news channel was forced to stop broadcasting after a police intervention ordered personally by Edi Rama.

The premises of Focus Media Group, which houses the editorial offices of News24, BalkanWeb, Panorama, and Gazeta Shqiptare, were surrounded at dawn and the power supply was cut off. Journalists were not allowed to go to their workplaces. Broadcasting was completely stopped at 7:36 a.m. It was only partially restored via YouTube.

The authorities cite a property dispute related to the transfer of part of the complex to a state-owned enterprise, without specifying the legal basis for this or announcing a court decision justifying such a sudden closure. This gross violation of all legal norms is causing great concern among defenders of freedom of speech in Albania.

Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha described the operation as a "primitive act of political revenge" aimed at silencing "one of the last independent media outlets in the country."

News 24 is the third channel after Agon Channel and Ora News to be shut down under Edi Rama's regime.

The regional news network SafeJournalists condemned "this serious violation."

According to the network, "any interference with the media must be based on a clear legal basis, pursue a legitimate aim, and use the least restrictive means." The authorities were required to present the order, specify its scope, protect the equipment, and ensure safe access for staff.

For Blerjana Bino, director of the SCiDEV Center and representative of SafeJournalists, the essence of the problem goes beyond political tensions. "It is not a question of judging editorial policy, but of verifying whether power is exercised lawfully and with restraint. " "The closure of News24 without a court decision sets an alarming precedent that raises serious concerns about the possible arbitrary exercise of institutional power, bypassing legal procedures. When legality, transparency, and proportionality are lacking, media freedom, the rule of law, and the public interest are at risk," Balkan Insight reported.

The European Union delegation in Tirana said it was closely monitoring the situation with the Focus Media group. "Disagreements between all parties concerned must be resolved in accordance with the law and legal procedures. In this context, it is important that any action taken does not violate the freedom of journalists to exercise their right to disseminate information and to preserve the confidentiality of their sources. These are essential aspects of media freedom and pluralism, which are fundamental to the rule of law."

Around 230 journalists and employees of Focus Media Group no longer have access to their offices, and their salaries and social security contributions are being delayed.

Beyond the case of News24, this case highlights a worrying trend: the use of institutional power to circumvent regular procedures, which weakens the rule of law. Defenders of press freedom stress that the problem is not the opinion that may be held about a particular editorial team, but the ability of institutions to act transparently and in accordance with the rules.

In Albania, there is a concentration of ownership, economic dependence, and growing self-censorship, turning the press into a mere conduit for propaganda. I BGNES