As Albania progresses in its legal framework with European standards, including the Digital Services Act (DSA), representatives of the Council of Europe, the European Union and the Albanian Audiovisual Media Authority (AMA) gathered in Tirana to discuss key provisions on transparency, user protection and regulatory oversight.

The event built upon a roundtable organised earlier this year. A Council of Europe comparative analysis was presented, identifying regulatory gaps and offering recommendations for targeted interventions to achieve full compliance with the European acquis. Key topics included platform liability, reporting requirements, and co-operation with public authorities.

During the discussions, participants underlined the importance of effectively transposing DSA provisions into the Albanian legal framework, particularly in the context of ongoing media law reforms as well as Albania’s broader efforts to harmonise its legislation with European standards. At the conclusion of the meeting, participants agreed on a roadmap outlining next steps to advance regulatory compliance with European standards. These include introducing user-friendly notice-and-action procedures for illegal content, mandating internal complaint-handling systems for online platforms, and enhancing protections for minors.

The Digital Services Act (DSA) introduces rules for online services used by European citizens in their daily life including marketplaces, social media networks, app stores, and online travel and accommodation platforms. It helps to make the online environment safe and trustworthy.

This activity was organised by the Division for Cooperation on Freedom of Expression under the joint European Union and Council of Europe action Protecting Freedom of Expression and of the Media in Albania (PROFREX-A), as part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye.