How the protests in Tirana gained international media attention

The first days of the protest in Tirana were boycotted by local media, but they immediately attracted the attention of foreign media.

Throughout the 18 days of the protest known as the "Flamingo Revolution", prestigious media outlets such as CNN, Reuters, Al Jazeera, or major international newspapers such as "New York Times", "Der Spiegel", and "Die Zeit" have had continuous coverage.

Since the beginning of June, tens of thousands of citizens of Tirana and other cities in the country have filled the "Dëshmorët e Kombit" boulevard and the streets of the capital in a marathon protest that initially began in opposition to the mass tourism project in the Pishë Poro - Nartë protected area, but which quickly transformed into an anti-government movement.

Civil society representatives told BIRN that the protest has several intertwined elements that received international attention, such as its massiveness and sustainability, as well as the environmental cause surrounding a project linked to the Trump family.

"First, the protest has received international attention because of the Trump family's involvement in the investment in Sazan-Zvërnec. Second, because of its massiveness, sustainability, and rise for a protected area," says Rigels Xhemollari, activist and executive director of the organization "Civic Resistance."

According to him, another factoring element is Albania's current position in the European Union integration process.

"This is also due to the relationship that Albania has at these moments with the integration process, where all eyes are on the country to see the fight against corruption and money laundering," added the leader of the Civic Resistance.

Jonida Sela, a researcher and lecturer, also sees the international media attention as linked to the interests of the Trump family. But she also emphasized that the massiveness, creativity, and peaceful nature of the protest increased the interest of global information giants.

“Massive protests have taken place in the Southeast European region, but in Albania, something like this has not happened since 2018, which certainly did not have this sensitivity and massiveness,” Sela told BIRN.

According to her, what stood out the most was the creativity coming from Generation Z and the creation of banners by Artificial Intelligence, which were also reflected on social networks.

"Social media was a catalyst when society was able to see the reaction of politics, the media, and the attitudes of influencers," Sela added.

Another element is the peaceful spirit of the protest that has given it widespread popularity not only among locals, but also internationally.

"What has been noticed during these days of protests is the peaceful spirit that prevails," Jonida Sela told BIRN, adding that during these days the protesters have calmly articulated the main demands for the cancellation of the project and Rama's resignation.

According to Sela and Xhemollari, the coverage and reflection of the protest by international media has helped in the increased success of the protest.

Xhemollari told BIRN that in fact, the coverage of the protest by foreign media has influenced the awareness of interested actors, as well as served as a kind of pressure on local media to give it more importance.

"The exposure in international media has influenced the success of this protest, as it forced local media to broadcast the protest after the 3rd day, after a total blockade," recalls Xhemollari.

"Secondly, foreign media have alerted interested international actors such as the European Commission to raise concerns about the Vjosa-Narta area, as well as awakened the conscience of many Albanians around the world, who have organized hundreds of parallel protests in their countries," he added.

According to Jonida Sela, international attention has put pressure on the government, which cannot continue with its propaganda game, as if Albania is the happiest country in the world.

"The media is recreating the image of the real Albania, with energetic and visionary young people, with engaged intellectuals and a people who demand that their fundamental rights and the law be implemented," concluded researcher Sela. Reporter.al