Sali Berisha criticizes the one-year TikTok ban in Albania, accusing Prime Minister Edi Rama of censoring the platform after the Democratic Party’s growing popularity on the social media network.
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Sali Berisha, the leader of the Democratic Party (PD) in Albania, has spoken out against the government’s decision to ban TikTok for one year in the country. According to Berisha, the move is a response to the increasing popularity of his party on the platform, as seen in recent polls.
Berisha’s Accusations Against Rama
Berisha argued that Prime Minister Edi Rama took this action after observing that PD was gaining a significant audience on TikTok. “Rama is looking for any excuse to close this platform, which, just like Twitter after being bought by Elon Musk, does not enforce censorship,” Berisha stated.
He further criticized the government’s portrayal of TikTok, saying, “TikTok does not produce violence as Rama claims. The violence on TikTok is induced by individuals like Rama, with his behavior as the country’s ‘bully.’” Berisha went on to describe Rama as the “chief bully” and “chief misogynist” in Albania, emphasizing that bullying is a condemnable act, yet the prime minister sets an example of such behavior.
Democratic Party’s Dominance on TikTok
Berisha also presented data from a reputable research company, showing that PD dominates the platform in both audience size and engagement. He claimed that TikTok remains uncensored, providing an opportunity for the opposition to reach the public effectively, unlike traditional media controlled by the government.
“The true cause behind this ban is the fear of the success and growing popularity of the opposition on TikTok, which is disrupting Rama’s media pyramid of lies,” Berisha added, referring to the government’s reliance on conventional media to shape public opinion.
Impact on Political Communication
The one-year ban on TikTok raises concerns about freedom of expression and the government’s control over social media platforms, which have become powerful tools for political engagement. Berisha’s comments reflect ongoing tensions between the ruling and opposition parties in Albania, particularly in the digital sphere.
