Albania: Journalist Afrovita Hysaj Faces Death Threats Over Rape Case Reporting
Albert Deliaj, proprietor of 6+1 Vlora TV, threatens journalist, wrongly claiming she connected his son to a crime
Location: Albania, Vlora
Date: October 24, 2023
Following her coverage of the assault of a 26-year-old woman, journalist Afrovita Hysaj from Fax News faces threats and public retaliation from Albert Deliaj, the owner of 6+1 Vlora, a local broadcaster. Police have launched an investigation into the matter. The Coalition For Women In Journalism expresses its support for Afrovita Hysaj and calls upon law enforcement authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the threats made against her. We demand that those responsible for these attacks be held accountable for their actions.
“I have received life-threatening messages, and this is intolerable. I have been threatened because I am just doing my duty,” says journalist Afrovita Hysaj in response to the death threats she received following her coverage of an alleged rape case involving a 26-year-old woman.
Hysaj, a reporter with Fax News, was targeted with death threats and faced public attacks by Albert Deliaj, the owner of local television 6+1 Vlora, due to her coverage of a recent rape case in Vlora. Hysaj says Deliaj falsely accused her of linking his son to the drugging and rape of a 26-year-old woman in the city of Vlora. She also highlighted that the attack came after attempts were made to conceal the incident from the public.
Other journalists have also reported receiving threats in connection to the same incident. A correspondent from a national television disclosed to the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) that they received threatening messages following their coverage. The correspondent, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated that the threats came from relatives of the individuals accused of rape. However, they have chosen not to report the incident to the police.
“I have been threatened because I am just doing my duty”
Hysaj reported that one of the threatening messages reads, "We are in blood together." The message refers to the blood feuds common in regions where a traditional set of rules called the "kanun" still governs the lives of many. Even a minor conflict can escalate into a long-lasting blood feud that spans generations, resulting in entire families being confined.
The incident has generated significant backlash from colleagues and media organizations, who are demanding a public apology from the television administrator. The Safe Journalists' Network has also condemned the attack and joined the call for a public apology from 6+1 Vlora.
While the police have initiated legal proceedings against the television administrator for intimidation, no measures have been taken yet in response to the threat against Hysaj's life.
The head of the Audiovisual Media Authority stated that they are unable to take action in this particular case, as the derogatory material was published on a website rather than on television.
CFWIJ has documented numerous violations against women journalists in Albania. In many instances, the authorities' response is limited to expressions of solidarity. The number of perpetrators who face punishment for their actions is often minimal.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism expresses unwavering solidarity for Afrovita Hysaj. We strongly condemn the death threats she has faced and highlight that such attacks seriously violate journalism ethics codes, publicly defame a media worker, undermine public communication and its responsibilities, and set a rare precedent for an attack by a media outlet against a local journalist. We call on the television administrator to issue a public apology in response to these concerns and for authorities to take immediate action.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.