Albania institutional restrictions criticized for fueling disinformation

In Albania, institutional efforts to restrict information flow are reportedly fueling the spread of disinformation. While the fight against "fake news" is a significant challenge for EU candidate countries, attempts to curb misinformation through information limitations may be counterproductive.

Specific concerns are raised regarding a new regulation from the head of the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO), which is described as a form of prior censorship preventing journalists from documenting court sessions. Furthermore, institutional communication from various bodies—including SPAK, the General Prosecutor's Office, customs, municipalities, and the Prime Minister's office—is criticized for being overly restricted and uninformative, leaving spokespersons unable to answer detailed questions.