Albania authorities are taking steps forward to ensure a more effective monitoring of audiovisual media content, ensuring a better protection of freedom of expression in line with European standards. To support this process, professionals from the Audiovisual Media Authority (AMA) participated in a capacity building session in Tirana, organised under the action on “Protecting Freedom of Expression and of the Media in Albania” (PROFREX-A), a joint initiative of the European Union and the Council of Europe.

The session provided an overview of the domestic legal and institutional frameworks and relevant European Union requirements. Participants explored practical approaches to monitoring hate-speech, offensive content and discrimination in audiovisual broadcasts, guided by Council of Europe standards and drew upon the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights.

The interactive format of the activity fostered discussions and reflections, enabling AMA staff to develop a shared analytical framework for consistent monitoring. This will contribute to a safer media environment, and supports the harmonisation of Albania’s regulatory framework with European standards.

This activity was organised by the Division for Cooperation on Freedom of Expression under the action on “Protecting Freedom of Expression and of the Media in Albania” (PROFREX-A), as part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.