The Digital Media Laboratory at the Department of Journalism, University of Tirana, is the latest investment in enhancing students’ educational practices. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, it will serve not only journalism students but also others.
Today, Prime Minister Edi Rama visited this new facility, accompanied by the Minister of Education and Sports, Ogerta Manastirliu. During the visit, they met with students and faculty, and together they created a podcast, with the Prime Minister being interviewed by the students on various topics.
“This is the newest laboratory that the Department of Journalism and Communication has invested in, with funding from the Albanian government and the National Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation. This investment aims to enhance the quality of teaching and provide new opportunities for young people. Through this digital media laboratory, not only students but also faculty members will have the chance to conduct research in the field of media. It will also serve as a reference point for distributing accurate information, not ‘fake’ news, and could potentially become a hub for all our universities to exchange information and more,” explained Minister of Education Manastirliu during her visit to the laboratory. She also highlighted that the University of Tirana is one of the institutions that receives the most support from scientific research and innovation funds.
“For 2024 alone, there are 34 research projects. Around $1.7 million has been allocated to the University for laboratories like this, as well as for various studies carried out by professors. Year after year, we have increased research funding. We now have 130 projects related to research infrastructure and study projects. This year, there will also be new initiatives regarding funding support for doctoral studies,” said Minister Manastirliu.
Meanwhile, Mark Marku, a professor at the Department of Journalism, said, “This laboratory is designed to practically train the journalists of the future. This is a multimedia newsroom,” said Professor Marku. “We can broadcast live directly from here. It’s a podcast studio. It’s even better than your podcast. For the editing part, 25-30 students can work here.”
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Prime Minister Edi Rama on the Journalism Students’ Podcast at the University of Tirana’s Department of Journalism:
“Well, here we are in the integrated digital media laboratory. In fact, this is the newest and most modern multimedia space in use, not only in the Department of Journalism but also open to students from other faculties who wish to create podcasts. This space is open to all, and with the latest technologies, we have access to create podcasts for assignments, university projects, or any personal projects. The computers, cameras, and a full range of equipment we have here help us produce high-quality audiovisual content.”
“Prime Minister, I’d like to begin with the first question, which is about TikTok. Young people often find solutions to access things they’re interested in. Since they’ve mentioned using a VPN from another country to access TikTok, do you still believe that banning TikTok is the right solution?”
Prime Minister Edi Rama:
“I believe that, for now, we don’t have an alternative solution, but we are in ongoing dialogue with TikTok. We’ve raised our concerns, and the good news is that they haven’t dismissed them. We’ve agreed that, in a reasonable time, when they are ready, they will present us with proposals to address these issues. And since you are here, in the Department of Journalism, as the ‘guardians of the language,’ one of the issues, for example, is that TikTok doesn’t have a filter for the Albanian language. So, while inappropriate words may be filtered out in other languages, that doesn’t happen with Albanian, as there is no filter for it. This is just one of many concerns. In the meantime, I have the impression that, even though it’s a challenge to engage young people in this space today, I don’t think they’ll easily manage with a VPN from another country. But, of course, never say never with this upcoming generation.”
“As Prime Minister and as a government, what have you planned to address youth unemployment and, unfortunately, the brain drain from Albania?”
Prime Minister Edi Rama:
This is a question that has rightfully been asked for some time now, and my answer hasn’t changed. We need to work persistently and be patient, because the kinds of changes that would allow Albania to offer young people who leave the country what they expect to find immediately where they go can’t be achieved in a short period. These things can’t be accomplished simply through desire, but this is the path forward. The transition from an old, analog laboratory – as Professor Marku mentioned – to this new digital one is another step in motivating you to dedicate yourselves more to these new tools you have here, and to feel more at home in your own country, step by step.
“Mr. Prime Minister, we all know your background as an artist. If you had the chance to paint a picture of Albanian politics today, what colors would you use?”
Prime Minister Edi Rama:
I don’t think there’s such a thing as a ‘bad’ color or a ‘good’ color. I don’t think black is wrong just because it’s black – for example, here black serves a very honorable and respectable purpose. On the other hand, I believe Albanian politics contains all colors, from the dullest to the brightest. But I would make sure to include every color, meaning, it would be a colorful chaos.
“To talk a bit about figures who may have inspired you, is there a historical figure who has inspired you to the point where, if they were your advisor today, you would ask them for their opinion on something? What question would you ask them?”
Prime Minister Edi Rama:
There are many great teachers history has provided us with, who can help us through books, as much as we are capable of understanding them fully. But to give you just one – not because this ‘one’ is the only one or others are less important – the one who immediately comes to mind, for example, is Charles de Gaulle and everything he did for France. His absence is increasingly felt today, even though it was in a different time and context.
“Is the Albanian government following a policy on cybersecurity? Are these policies effective?”
Prime Minister Edi Rama:
On cybersecurity, I think we’ve made significant progress since the severe attack we faced from a major power in the field of cyber warfare. We’ve acquired and deployed very sophisticated tools, thanks to our partners. I believe we’re now in a much stronger position than we were before, and it’s much harder to attack us. Cyberattacks happen daily, everywhere, to everyone, but we continue to face attacks from all sides. The fact that nothing major has happened is a direct result of much stronger protection. However, we must remain vigilant because we can never assume we’re immune to attacks, especially as offensive tools become more sophisticated each day.
“What about the latest investment in cybersecurity, including the underground offices and facilities here in Albania? What kind of effectiveness do you expect from this investment?”
Prime Minister Edi Rama:
Cyber warfare is still in its early stages. It will continue to intensify and become more sophisticated. We need to ensure that, as much as it depends on us, we can repel these attacks—ideally, completely—but at the very least, in the vast majority of cases.
“Another question I’d like to ask, even though you’ve come today without a tie and no one’s probably noticing your socks, I don’t even know what colors or styles you have on. The question might be a bit off-topic considering your current style, but I’ll ask it anyway: Is there a reason behind your specific style, your choice of tie or socks?”
Prime Minister Edi Rama:
The tie is the last island of freedom left to me.
“Actually, I probably should’ve directed this question to the Minister of Education, but anyway, does the Albanian government have any other investment plans like the one you made in our department?”
Prime Minister Edi Rama:
This laboratory, to be honest, was funded by the Albanian government, but it’s not really the government’s merit. Whoever is able to create projects, justify them, and prove they are beneficial for the investment they’re asking for—meanwhile, the University of Tirana is showing its ability to increase revenues for its faculty and boost investments in the university beyond the state budget. There are endless possibilities if we manage to tap into European Union funds. With EU funding on one hand, and the modest but steadily growing annual budget for scientific research in Albania on the other, the opportunities are there. But if the question is not about what the next investment would be, for me, the real question is: what would the next investment be? That’s a question you need to ask yourselves, and then discuss what we really need. Once you agree on what’s needed—which might not necessarily be part of the laboratory but could be something else—then you should sit down, write it out, and say, ‘We need this for one, two, three, or four reasons.
“We really hope you felt comfortable in our presence because we are two future journalists, so thank you very much for your time and for being part of the inauguration of our new multimedia studio.”
Prime Minister Edi Rama:
You know what, for example, what did you do differently from many journalists? Today, you asked questions and received answers. You didn’t talk like we do on Sundays, where you and I stand there to compete and show who is better or stronger. That’s the difference. You are witnesses to history. We are people who either do good or bad in history. You are the witnesses.