Albania: Journalist Anila Hoxha, cameraman nearly killed as errant cop pushes them into an abyss

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November 8, 2021 - Journalist Anila Hoxha and her cameraman were almost killed when a police officer, who has since been dismissed, pushed them into an abyss as they approached prominent businessman Ruzhdi Hoxha’s murder site. Anila and her cameraman were reporting on the murder investigation and were at the site on Dajti mountain, where Ruzhdi Hoxha’s body was found. A video shared on the internet showed  a police officer pushing the journalist and the cameraman in order to prevent them from filming the ongoing investigation. Anila and her cameraman fortunately managed to escape death and were pulled up from the edge by others on site. The abusive police officer was dismissed after the attack was widely criticized. However, this is not the first instance of mistreatment of journalists at the hands of the police in the country. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism has observed that such violations have become common in Albania. Such instances point to a pattern of transgressions against journalists, many of which go unpunished. The action taken against the police officer in this case sends a message that such acts cannot be tolerated and the CFWIJ welcomes the move. We hope the Albanian authorities will further investigate the matter and break the culture of impunity for crimes against journalists. 

Photojournalist Isa Myzyraj shared the video on Twitter in which one can clearly see how the policeman pushes Anila towards the edge of the mountain and into the abyss. She was lucky to escape the fall and managed to pick herself up from the edge with some help. After the incident was widely criticized, Interior Minister Bledi Cuci tweeted that the abusive officer has been dismissed and will face charges for endangering the lives of the journalists.

In a detailed Facebook post, Anila shared that she faced discrimination by the ex-police chief Ardi Veliu for her fierce reporting on police assaults against protestors and journalists during December 2020 Klodian Rasha protests. "On Saturday, the police showed once again that it leaves much to be desired in its relationship with the media, the public and the citizens, as it has done on other occasions, starting with press conferences when they do not allow you to ask questions," she wrote. 

The CFWIJ has observed that harassment and mistreatment of women journalists at the hands of the authorities are part of a larger pattern of impunity. In recent years there have been several such cases.

On February 17, 2020, Ora News journalist Sonila Musaj filed a harassment complaint against Aurel Boriçi, a municipality employee. Aurel reportedly prevented Sonila from interviewing the Mayor of Tirana. He hugged her forcefully and attempted to intimidate her to deter her from conducting the interview. Sonia had, rightly, termed Aurel’s behaviour unacceptable and sexist. 

Earlier, in April 2019, Eliza Gjediku, a correspondent for Tema TV was severely hurt after being exposed to tear gas. In the same month, another woman journalist Ola Xama from Klan TV was physically and verbally attacked by a guard present outside the Assembly building in Tirana. The guard violently pushed her besides verbally attacking her.

Another TV reporter Dorjana Bezat faced obstruction on the job when she was barred from filming the use of gas on civilian homeowners, protesting forceful eviction. Her cameras were physically blocked. 

The aforementioned cases are some of many such cases the CFWIJ has recorded. We are cognizant that this condemnable pattern of harassment and violence against women journalists has been normalized by those in power. To prevent journalists from reporting facts that concern the public, officials often resort to harassing journalists and encroach on the freedom of the press. The CFWIJ appreciates that in this instance action was taken against the errant official and hopes this case will set a new precedent. We extend solidarity to Anila Hoxha and her cameraman and urge the Albanian authorities to ensure a safe and conducive environment for journalists.