AMA data challenges claims of government control over media
Official data from the Audiovisual Media Authority (AMA) for the period August 1–31, 2025, reveals a striking contrast between political rhetoric and the actual media landscape.
Why is this important: Despite frequent claims from opposition figures and parts of civil society that Albanian media is under government control, the numbers tell a different story. The Democratic Party, led by Sali Berisha, dominated national TV airtime with 90.20% of coverage. By comparison, the ruling Socialist Party received only 4.81%. The disparity grows even deeper if one considers that the DP allied Freedom Party of former president Ilir Meta and Republican Party received 3.17% and 1.81% of airtime respectively.
Context: AMA’s figures suggest that far from being silenced on national media the opposition enjoys an overwhelming presence. The data undercuts the narrative of a government “regime” controlling television space and shows that the political majority is often absent from prime coverage.
But the report also highlights a structural shift in political communication in Albania. The Socialist Party and Prime Minister Edi Rama have for years relied heavily on their own social media channels to bypass traditional TV airtime and communicate directly with citizens. This strategy, once controversial, has now become the main way Rama’s government addresses the public, announcing policies, responding to critics, and even holding interactive Q&A sessions.
This trend reflects the growing importance of digital platforms as the primary political battleground, especially among younger voters and the erosion of importance of the traditional media platforms.
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