November 6, 2024

06.11.2024 – Unjustified Detainment of Albanian Journalists at Greek Border Raises Concerns Over Press Freedom

On 2 November 2024 Greek authorities detained Albanian journalists Fjorela Beleshi who is working for A2 CNN, and Elja Zotka working for TV Klan, along with film crews from A2 CNN (https://a2news.com/) news channel and TV Klan (https://tvklan.al/), for over four hours at the Greek-Albanian border crossing Krystallopigi (Greece) / Kapshticë (Albania). The teams, en route to Thessaloniki (Θεσσαλονίκη), Greece, to cover an event with Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama and the Albanian diaspora, were reportedly delayed despite having valid documents. Their passports were briefly confiscated, and border officials barred them from crossing without clearance from the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Authorities allegedly also restricted the journalists from documenting the delay via live reporting on their phones, thereby hindering real-time reporting on the unfolding situation. According to information from the journalists, the Greek authorities allegedly where asking the reporters to present a special permit issued by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs to enter Greece. Such a requirement had never been imposed on journalists and would be against free movement for journalists.

After Greek authorities granted final approval, the Albanian journalists were allowed to proceed, however, this incident highlights an unjustified restriction on journalistic work. Last-minute bureaucratic requirements and vague diplomatic demands, seemingly unrelated to customs, infringe on European commitments to press freedom and the free movement of journalists. These unwarranted delays without clear explanation disrupt journalists’ ability to operate transparently, posing a serious threat to democratic principles.

This is not the first time that Albanian journalists have problem entering Greece. For example in 2012 Marin Mema, reporter for Albania’s Top Channel TV, was denied entry to Greece after Greek border guards deemed him a threat to national security. According to the journalist, as he reported in 2012 he was listed as dangerous person and as persona non grata in Greece.

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the unjustified detainment of Albanian journalists at the Greek border, viewing this incident as a direct infringement on press freedom and a concerning obstruction of journalists’ ability to report. Such actions not only undermine democratic values but also set a troubling precedent for cross-border media operations in Europe.

Greek authorities must explain this detainment and outline requirements for future cases to prevent similar issues. Clear communication of any documentation requirements for foreign journalists in advance would avoid these disruptions, supporting a process that aligns with European standards protecting press freedom and ensuring smooth cross-border access. Journalists must travel and work without barriers. Standing with the Albanian journalists affected, we urge the EU to uphold press freedom and transparent processes for journalists’ rights across borders. In democratic societies, press freedom is non-negotiable, and incidents like this should not be tolerated. SEEMO will be closely monitoring this case and urges Greek authorities to ensure transparency and respect for journalistic rights in accordance with European standards.

South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.

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