FLASH
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The shutdown of News24's signal and the occupation of the buildings where this TV and other media outlets of this group operate have also attracted the attention of German media, such as Deutsche Welle (DW).
DW writes that the private television station News 24 was suddenly shut down during a police operation, an event that journalists described as an attack on press freedom. German media also report that the premises where the television station operated are destined for a defense industry project.
The slogan "Democracy dies in darkness" became a symbol of the protest of journalists, politicians and activists in front of the News24 headquarters on Monday afternoon.
The 24-hour news broadcast was interrupted at 07:36 on Saturday, when instead of the television signal, vertical color bars appeared on screens across Albania.
The police, based on a recent court decision, surrounded the building of the former Auto-Tractor Factory on the outskirts of Tirana, where News 24's premises are located, and ordered the staff to leave immediately.
'A blow to freedom of expression'
Anila Jole, director of News24 and part of the media group that has worked there since 2002, considered this action as "arbitrary" and without prior warning.
"Press freedom is the foundation of a democratic society, and when it is violated, democracy itself is at risk," Jole told DW.
Focus Media Group, the owner of News 24 and other media outlets such as BalkanWeb, Panorama and Gazeta Shqiptare, employs around 230 people and calls this intervention a "blow to freedom of expression" in an EU candidate country.
From news broadcast to defense factory
The former Auto-Tractor Factory, built in 1976, was once the largest mechanical enterprise in communist Albania. Now, it will be transformed into a defense industry center, where uniforms and equipment for the Armed Forces will be produced.
The project is managed by KAYO, a state-owned company established in 2024 to revive the Albanian military industry.
Prime Minister Edi Rama welcomed this plan as a "positive development for the Armed Forces, the national economy and the local community."
Reactions and accusations of violations of freedoms
The Albanian Journalists Association condemned the police intervention as a "flagrant violation of democratic principles and freedom of expression."
The SafeJournalists Albania network reacted by saying that blocking access to the editorial office threatens the freedom and independence of the media.
Opposition leader and former Prime Minister Sali Berisha called the intervention a "political attack" and "a serious attack on freedom of speech" aimed at silencing critical voices.
The government supports the police operation.
The State Attorney's Office said that the lease agreement for the premises of the former Auto-Tractor Factory had expired in 2022 and that the Ministry of Finance had set a deadline for their vacating on July 25, 2022, but the company had not voluntarily vacated the property.
The case has gone through all levels of the judiciary, and on July 14, 2025, the Administrative Court of Appeal decided on the immediate release of the premises.
But Focus Media News denies this and claims that the premises are their property and have the relevant documentation.
News 24 director Anila Jole expressed hope that the court would make a fair decision and stop the intervention, giving the station time to relocate.
Albania aims to strengthen its military industry
In April, KAYO signed a cooperation agreement with the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri and the Israeli military technology company Elbit Systems for the reconstruction of the Aviation School in Vlora.
KAYO is also seeking private partners for joint projects in the production of weapons and ammunition, with an investment of around 60 million euros and the creation of new jobs.
On July 16, the Council of Ministers approved a strategic agreement with the Israeli Ministry of Defense to strengthen Albanian military capacities and bilateral cooperation.
Joint projects envisage the production of drones, light weapons and artillery in Albania.
The government sees this initiative as a way to strengthen national defense, attract foreign investment, and position Albania as a regional defense industry hub.
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