Albania's Rama proposes protest fines and online measures as student protests enter 13th day
Prime Minister Edi Rama announced legal measures including fines for violent or unauthorised protests and rules on online calls for violence, but protesters returned to Tirana's streets on Sunday 25 October.
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The story, neutrally told
Centre · 1Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced plans on Sunday 25 October for new legal measures targeting protests, as student-led demonstrations in Tirana entered their 13th day. Anadolu AgencyN “Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced plans Sunday for new legal measures targeting protests”“The protests, which began on Oct. 13, entered their 13th day” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Right · 1Reuters reported that the measures include fines of 500,000 lek ($6,188) for everyone who takes part in a protest that turns violent, even those who commit no violence themselves. The Straits TimesRC “fines of 500,000 lek ($6,188) for everyone who participates in a protest that turns violent even if he or she does not commit acts of violence” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Centre · 1According to Anadolu, the package also covers compensation for businesses affected by demonstrations, Criminal Code amendments, and fines for organising unauthorised demonstrations, ignoring dispersal orders, wearing masks and obstructing traffic. Anadolu AgencyN “The proposed legislative package includes compensation for businesses affected by demonstrations”“fines for organizing unauthorized demonstrations, failing to comply with orders to disperse, wearing masks during protests and obstructing traffic” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗
Centre · 1It would also require removal of social media posts calling for violence and start legal proceedings against those responsible; Rama said the current demonstration law dates from 2001 and does not address digital tools. Anadolu AgencyN “The package also aims to require the removal of social media posts calling for violence and initiate legal proceedings against those responsible.”“the current law governing demonstrations dates back to 2001 and contains no provisions addressing digital technology tools” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Right · 1Protesters gathered outside the Education Ministry and then marched to Rama's office, where Reuters said they set fire to chairs Rama had placed there as an invitation to dialogue. The Straits TimesRC “setting on fire chairs he had placed in front of it as an invitation to a dialogue with the government” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Centre · 1Anadolu reported that stones were thrown at the ministry and at police, officers used tear gas, Molotov cocktails were occasionally used and some demonstrators were injured. Anadolu AgencyN “Protesters threw stones at police and public institutions while officers responded with tear gas.”“Some demonstrators were injured during clashes in which Molotov cocktails were occasionally used.” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗
Mixed · 2In a video address, Rama said those demanding his resignation were mistaken if they thought they could impose it through violence, but that he did not believe everything they demand is wrong; Anadolu said he repeated calls for dialogue, which protesters rejected. The Straits TimesRC “I do not believe that everything they say or demand is wrong” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Anadolu AgencyN “Rama reiterated his calls for dialogue, as he had in previous days, but protesters rejected the appeals.” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Mixed · 2The sources differ on the grievances: Reuters cites perceived government corruption, a lack of jobs and poor education standards, and demands for Rama's resignation, while Anadolu describes students demanding better education conditions, backed by high school students, faculty and trade unions. The Straits TimesRC “fuelled by anger over perceived government corruption, a lack of jobs and poor education standards” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Anadolu AgencyN “drawing support from high school students, citizens, faculty members from several universities and various trade unions” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Right · 1Reuters said the unrest followed months of largely peaceful summer protests against a coastal development backed by Jared Kushner and is the biggest challenge yet to Rama, in power since 2013 and re-elected for a fourth term last year. The Straits TimesRC “poses the biggest challenge yet to Rama, who has governed since 2013 and won a fourth term in office last year” Read at The Straits Times ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Anadolu leads on the legislative package and the protests' education-related demands, describing violence on both sides in procedural terms.
- Emphasis
- Details of the proposed legal package, breadth of support among students, unions and faculty, and clashes with police including tear gas.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention resignation demands, corruption grievances, arson of buildings, the Kushner-backed development or the 500,000 lek figure.
- For example
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“Albania plans new legal measures as student protests continue” — Anadolu Agency
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Reuters copy in the Straits Times leads on protesters defying the new measures and presents the unrest as anti-government and violent.
- Emphasis
- Resignation demands, arson and property damage, the specific fine amount, and the political challenge to Rama.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the online-content measures, business compensation or the 2001 law; says little about police use of tear gas.
- Charged language
- “engulfed central Tirana”
- For example
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“have engulfed central Tirana and spread to other cities this month” — The Straits Times
What every side reports
- Rama announced new measures on Sunday 25 October including fines for violent protests.
- Protesters gathered outside the Education Ministry and then moved to the prime minister's office in Tirana.
- Some of the demonstrations turned violent.
Where accounts differ
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What the protests are about
- Centre
- Anadolu: students demanding improved education conditions, backed by unions and faculty.
- Right
- Reuters (Straits Times): anger over perceived corruption, lack of jobs and poor education, with demands for Rama's resignation.
Edi Rama person
Rama says protesters cannot force his resignation through violence but that not all their demands are wrong; he repeats calls for dialogue and proposes legal changes to the 2001 protest law.
“those who demand my resignation are mistaken if they think they can impose it through violence” — The Straits Times
“Rama reiterated his calls for dialogue” — Anadolu Agency
Left1 article
Centre1 article
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Albania plans new legal measures as student protests continue
Neutral Anadolu's account centred on the proposed legislation and the continuing education-focused protests.
Right1 article
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The Straits TimesRC · · via Reuters
Fresh protests in Tirana, despite new measures to curb unrest
Neutral Reuters wire copy focused on fresh protests defying the measures and the threat to Rama's rule.
- 25 Oct 10:45 First Al JazeeraLC Police in Albania filmed beating protester unconscious
- 25 Oct 16:05 +5h 20m The Straits TimesRC Fresh protests in Tirana, despite new measures to curb unrest via Reuters
- 26 Oct 03:20 +16h 35m Anadolu AgencyN Albania plans new legal measures as student protests continue
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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