BIRN reacts: State Police surround News24 offices, signal of the news channel interrupted

The investigative network BIRN has reacted to the actions taken by the State Police against the news channel News24 since the early hours of this Saturday.

In a post on Reporter.al’s Facebook page, BIRN stated that News24’s offices were surrounded by police officers, who demanded the evacuation of the premises and the removal of the channel’s journalists.

BIRN’s coverage

On Saturday, at around 7:00 a.m., a dozen police officers appeared at the premises of News24, located in the former Tractor Plant in the Shkozë neighborhood of Tirana, demanding that journalists leave and the building be vacated.

According to *Panorama* newspaper, part of the same media group, police have blocked journalists from entering the building and are seeking to clear the premises currently housing the editorial offices of News24, BalkanWeb, Panorama, and Gazeta Shqiptare, in order to transfer them to the state-owned company “KAYO.” Panorama also reports that electricity to the television station has been cut.

At 07:36 a.m., News24’s broadcast signal was interrupted.

KAYO is a state-owned company engaged in the production and trade of arms, founded in 2024. On March 12, 2025, the government approved a decision transferring ownership of the former Tractor Plant to KAYO. News24 is a long-term tenant in the facility.

In a statement posted on Facebook, the Albanian Journalists’ Association expressed concern over the State Police’s actions:

“This alarming action constitutes a flagrant violation of the fundamental principles of democracy and freedom of expression, guaranteed by the Constitution of Albania and international human rights instruments,” AJA wrote.

“The police intervention, which directly obstructs the work of journalists, is unacceptable and amounts to open pressure on the free media,” the organization stressed.

AJA called on state institutions to halt the operation, ensure News24 journalists have access to their workplace, and uphold democratic standards for media freedom.

When contacted by BIRN, the State Police spokesperson declined to comment on the operation to vacate News24’s premises.

“KORÇA BOOM”