Ambassador Yuri Kim: Free media is vital for Albania, attacks on journalists threaten democracy

The Ambassador of the United States of America in Tirana, Yuri Kim, has expressed her concern for the recent attacks and threats against journalists and for the freedom of the media. American Ambassador Kim met yesterday with the head of the Union of Albanian Journalists, Aleksandër Çipa, as through an announcement distributed to the media the US Embassy has once again reiterated Washington's support for an independent and free media, which according to her is vital for Albania's democracy and our country's path towards the EU. "Ambassador Yuri Kim met with Mr. Aleksandër Çipa, head of the Union of Albanian Journalists, to reiterate US support for an independent and free media, which is vital for Albania's democracy and the path to the EU. Ambassador Kim emphasized that for the United States, freedom and safety of journalists are essential. She expressed concern over recent attacks and threats against journalists and called for solidarity among journalists to condemn such attacks and hold them accountable. Threats and attacks against the media and journalists are threats against democracy," the US embassy announced yesterday. On the other hand, last week the reporter for Albania went to the European Parliament, Isabel Santos, spoke about the freedom of the media in the country, mentioning the attacks on journalists. "Media freedom is a key value in the EU. The press plays a vital role in consolidation and must be strictly respected. We all have to be accountable in the media, it is one of the points of contact with citizens and allows us to deliver our messages. There should be tolerance for attacks against journalists as we have seen recently",