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On the morning of June 26, 2026, the Albanian Parliament hosted the Balkan Leadership Conference on "Media Freedom, Democracy and Digital Governance in the Western Balkans." The event was co-sponsored by the Universal Peace Federation's International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), the Albanian Parliament, the Washington Times Foundation, IAYSP, IMAP, and several Balkan media organizations.
As the countries of the Western Balkans advance toward European Union integration, the media have an essential role to play in promoting democratization, transparency, and regional cooperation. At a time of global geopolitical tensions, widespread disinformation, and declining public trust in institutions - reflected in a wave of popular protests across the region - the conference addressed the challenges and opportunities facing both traditional and digital media.
Opening Session
Hon. Klajda GjoshaModerator: Hon. Klajda Gjosha, Minister of European Integration (2013-2017), Albania; Chair of IAPP Albania
Hon. Klajda Gjosha welcomed everyone to the Parliament of Albania for this conference focused on media freedom, democracy, and digital governance. Expressing gratitude to the hosts and organizers, she noted the event's timely alignment with the upcoming International Day of Parliamentarism. She stressed that strong democratic institutions, media freedom, digital governance and regional cooperation are interconnected foundations for democracy, accountability and shared prosperity.
Hon. Klodiana SpahiuHon. Klodiana Spahiu, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Albania
Hon. Klodiana Spahiu highlighted Albania's efforts to strengthen the legal and institutional framework governing digital media, presenting several initiatives undertaken by the Albanian Parliament to improve openness and public access. She emphasized that safeguarding democracy in the digital age depends on balancing freedom of expression with transparency, professional journalism, institutional accountability, and multi-sector cooperation.
Mr. Jacques MarionMr. Jacques Marion, International Vice President of UPF; President of UPF Europe & Middle East
Jacques Marion emphasized UPF's longstanding commitment to the Western Balkans and argued that the region's multicultural heritage and tradition of coexistence position it to make a significant contribution to Europe's future. He stressed that media freedom, guided by responsibility and universal values, is essential for democratic resilience, especially in the era of artificial intelligence and digital misinformation.
Hon. Jorida TabakuHon. Jorida Tabaku, Chair, Commission for Human Rights and Public Media, Albanian Parliament
Hon. Jorida Tabaku argued that democracy is measured by how governments respond to peaceful public protest and protect freedom of expression. She warned that growing pressure on independent media, journalists, and dissenting voices weakens democratic institutions. Emphasizing the transformative role of digital technologies, she called for safeguarding media pluralism, transparency, and citizens’ right to speak freely.
Mr. Defrim MethasaniMr. Defrim Methasani, Chairman, Universal Peace Federation Albania
Mr. Defrim Methasani thanked the delegates for their presence and emphasized that Albania's hosting of the conference reflected UPF's growing credibility as a promoter of peace in the Balkans. He highlighted media freedom as a cornerstone of democratic development and stressed the importance of cooperation between public institutions and the media to strengthen transparency, public trust, and good governance.
Session 1: Media Freedom, Democracy and Digital Governance in the Western Balkans
Hon. Klajda GjoshaModerator: Hon. Klajda Gjosha, Minister of European Integration (2013-2017), Albania; Chair of IAPP Albania
After thanking the speakers of the opening session, Hon. Klajda Gjosha opened the first panel discussion, dedicated to Media Freedom, Democracy and Digital Governance in the Western Balkans.
Hon. Iris LuarasiHon. Iris Luarasi, Vice Chair, Commission for Human Rights and Public Media, Albanian Parliament
Hon. Iris Luarasi discussed the legislative and social protections required to safeguard journalists, particularly focusing on gender-based challenges in media. She highlighted how digital platforms have escalated online harassment against women in media, urging parliaments across the region to pass and enforce robust anti-harassment laws.
Hon. Danijela ĐurovićHon. Danijela Đurović, President of the Parliament of Montenegro (2022– 2023)
Hon. Danijela Đurović argued that media freedom is fundamental to democracy, public trust, and regional stability in the Western Balkans. She warned of the growing threats posed by disinformation, social media algorithms, and artificial intelligence, advocating stronger independent journalism, resilient democratic institutions, media literacy, and regional cooperation to ensure that digital innovation reinforces rather than undermines democracy.
Hon. Enver HoxhajHon. Enver Hoxhaj, Deputy Prime Minister (2017-2019); Minister of Foreign Affairs (2016-2017), Kosovo
Hon. Enver Hoxhaj addressed the geopolitical dimensions of media manipulation and digital governance in the Balkans. He emphasized that malicious foreign disinformation campaigns pose a direct threat to regional stability, calling on Western Balkan governments to collaborate closely on cybersecurity initiatives to protect open democratic discourse. He also highlighted concerns over political interference in public broadcasting channels, as their purpose is veering more and more away from serving the public, and the spread of political disinformation.
Ms. Armela KrasniqiMs. Armela Krasniqi, Chairwoman, Audiovisual Media Authority, Albania
Ms. Armela Krasniqi provided a regulatory perspective on overseeing audio-visual media in the digital age. She detailed the Audiovisual Media Authority's strategic efforts to balance regulatory oversight with freedom of expression, arguing that combatting fake news requires transparent oversight and the promotion of digital literacy. She emphasized the importance of protecting freedom of expression while ensuring the integrity of the information space, noting that public opinion is being transformed by social media and artificial intelligence, creating new challenges that require transparency, responsibility, and stronger digital media literacy.
Hon. Jovan JovanovicHon. Jovan Jovanović, Member of Parliament (2016-2020), Ambassador to Indonesia (2011-2014), Serbia
Hon. Jovan Jovanović highlighted that while Serbia formally remains a parliamentary democracy with regular, competitive multiparty elections and existing independent media, its democratic standards and media freedom are trapped in a downward spiral. He emphasized that the information space is heavily regime-favored, physical and verbal attacks against journalists have spiked, and digital platforms amplify polarization.
Mr. Aleksandër ÇipaMr. Aleksandër Çipa, President, Albanian Journalists Union
Mr. Aleksandër Çipa concluded the panel by addressing the precarious economic and professional conditions facing local journalists. He emphasized that true media freedom is impossible without economic security, urging media owners and regional bodies to guarantee fair wages and robust legal protection for investigative reporters.
Session 2: Media as a Bridge for Economic Cooperation in the Western Balkans
Mrs. Mirilda TiliModerator: Mrs. Mirilda Tili, Journalist, Coordinator of Media for Peace Committee, UPF Albania
Mrs. Mirilda Tili opened the second session with a light-hearted introduction, emphasizing the friendly atmosphere among participants before turning to the panel’s central theme: the economy as a bridge for regional cooperation. She stressed that, despite political challenges, trade, infrastructure, communication, and economic collaboration can unite the Western Balkans more effectively than politics alone. Drawing on her experience as an economic journalist, she underscored the media’s role in building trust, shaping investment confidence, promoting transparency, and fostering regional cooperation through accurate and responsible reporting.
Mr. Thomas McDevittMr. Thomas McDevitt, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Washington Times Foundation
Speaking via a video recording, Mr. Thomas McDevitt outlined three pillars for prosperity in the Western Balkans: stability, energy independence, and diaspora integration. He argued that reliable media acts as a bridge for this economic cooperation. Highlighting The Washington Times, he positioned it as a strategic platform to amplify the region's progress and voice to American policymakers.
Hon. Senida MesiHon. Senida Mesi, Deputy Prime Minister of Albania (2017-2019)
Hon. Senida Mesi emphasized that sustainable economic development depends on close cooperation between policymakers, businesses, academia, civil society, and the media. She argued that responsible journalism should inform rather than sensationalize, highlighting regional economic success stories, investment opportunities, and cross-border cooperation to foster integration, strengthen democracy, and encourage prosperity throughout the Western Balkans. A highlighted quote from her message is “A society that is not well informed, does not take good decisions”, emphasizing the impact that media has in informing and disinforming the citizens, and further on, it’s impact in investments and business development.
Prof. Dr. Afet MamutiProf. Dr. Afet Mamuti, Faculty of Law, University of Tetova, North Macedonia
Prof. Dr. Afet Mamuti argued that economic cooperation in the Western Balkans depends not only on infrastructure and trade but also on trust, with the media playing a decisive role in building it. He stressed the need for accurate, responsible journalism to counter disinformation, promote transparency, support legal accountability, and strengthen regional cooperation, democratic governance, and European integration. He emphasizes that free and professional media is a not only a pillar of democracy, but also a factor economic development, a factor of social security and of EU integration for North Macedonia. These factors are matured faster with the proper investment in responsible media, where citizens of a nation are well informed and literate digitally, which in turn will also increase the public trust.
Mr. Lutfi DervishIMr. Lutfi Dervishi, Chairman, the Albanian Center for Quality Journalism; Lecturer at Tirana University
Mr. Lutfi Dervishi emphasized that despite the Western Balkans' economic progress, quality economic journalism remains endangered due to political pressure and weak advertising markets. He argued that the media must transcend corporate press releases to build a narrative of trust, provide accountability for regional growth funds, and actively foster cross-border business collaboration.
Mr. Peter ZoehrerMr. Peter Zoehrer, Global Coordinator of IMAP International; Executive Director of FOREF Europe
Mr. Peter Zoehrer introduced IMAP, the International Media Association for Peace, as a global network advocating for ethical, socially responsible journalism. He argued that press freedom is vital for democracy and economic development, as it exposes corruption and builds investor confidence. Lastly, he urged Western Balkan media to counter polarizing digital narratives and actively construct bridges of regional trust.
Concluding session:
Following the panel discussions, Mr. Gani Rroshi, Secretary General of UPF Balkans, invited Hon. Danijela Đurović of Montenegro and Hon. Jorida Tabaku of Albania to receive the UPF Ambassador for Peace Award in recognition of their contributions to peacebuilding and public service.
The conference concluded with closing remarks by Jacques Marion, who invited participants to support the second Mitrovica Youth Summit for Peace, to be held in Kosovo next October. The summit will bring together young Serbian and Albanian leaders from the communities of North and South Mitrovica—the symbolic dividing line at the heart of one of the Balkans' most enduring conflicts.
The conference also provided an opportunity for a meeting of the Balkans Working Group, an initiative of IAPP Europe and the Middle East launched by IAPP Advisory Board Chairman Hon. Keith Best and Secretary General Hod Ben Zvi. The Working Groups bring together current and former parliamentarians around common policy challenges, fostering dialogue, developing practical solutions, and formulating recommendations for their respective national institutions.
The gathering in Tirana brought together Working Group members from Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Looking ahead, participants agreed to continue their cooperation at a joint forum with youth leaders during the Mitrovica Youth Summit for Peace in October.