Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, but was conquered by Italy in 1939. Communist partisans took over the country in 1944. In the early 1990's, Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven challenging as successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, a dilapidated physical infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks, and combative political opponents. Albania has made progress in its democratic development since first holding multiparty elections in 1991. Albania joined NATO in April 2009 and is a potential candidate for EU accession. Although Albania's economy continues to grow, the country is still one of the poorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal economy and an inadequate energy and transportation infrastructure.

Three public television networks operate in Albania, one of which transmits by satellite to Albanian-language communities in neighboring countries. More than 60 private television stations are operating in the country, and many viewers can pick up Italian and Greek TV broadcasts via terrestrial reception. Cable television service is available. Two public radio networks, roughly 25 private radio stations, and several international broadcasters are available. Albania has tens of thousands of internet hosts and over a million internet user--despite the relative rarity of computer access.

The national print media is dominated by three publications: Gazeta Shqiptare, Gazeta Korrieri, and Shekulli. In addition, there are dozens of local and regional papers in publication. Print media in Albania tends to cluster in the cities making access to newspapers difficult for the large percentage of the population living in the countryside. As a result, many Albanians are turning to electronic media as a primary source of information.