Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA)
The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) is the official news agency in Albania.
Media assets
News agency: Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA)
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
ATA is fully owned by the state and officially subordinated to the Prime Minister’s Office, which holds the authority to appoint its management. Armela Krasniqi, who had previously served in government communications roles, was appointed director in 2017.
In 2021, the Council of Ministers replaced her with Valbona Zhupa, a journalist with experience at several Albanian outlets including ATA itself. Compared with her predecessor, Zhupa was perceived as having fewer direct political ties, though the agency’s governance structure leaves little room for genuine independence.
Source of funding and budget
ATA is entirely funded by the state budget. According to official data, in 2023 the agency received a government grant of ALL 59.5 million (approximately US$ 500,000).
Editorial independence
ATA functions as an official government news service. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has described it as “a propaganda tool,” reflecting its role as a channel for official communication rather than as an independent news provider. In practice, the agency has limited influence on the broader Albanian media market, as private outlets and international wire services dominate news production. No statute, supervisory council, or independent oversight body has been established to safeguard ATA’s editorial independence. Observers interviewed for this project in April 2025 note that while technical production standards have improved, editorial alignment with government priorities persists, and no significant progress on independence has been achieved.
September 2025