Profile / Enrik Mehmeti, the News24 journalist who built his career on the front lines of events

The tragic death of News24 journalist Enrik Mehmeti in a road accident has shocked his family and the entire Albanian journalism community.

The media has lost a reporter who, for more than two decades, built his career by reporting directly from the places where events unfolded, covering crime news and the most important developments.

To viewers, he was News24’s representative in Vlora, while colleagues knew him as the journalist who faced every challenge. Mehmeti did not wait for information to reach the newsroom; he set out himself to find it in the field.

In a profession where every second matters, he was often among the first reporters to arrive at the scene, delivering verified information and live reports.

His connection with the world of news began at a very young age. Mehmeti had said that his first encounter with serious events dated back to 1997, when he served as an interpreter at the “Alba” humanitarian camp.

There, he witnessed firsthand the suffering of those injured during that period. According to his later accounts, these experiences shaped him as a person and strengthened his conviction that journalism would be his life’s mission.

Reporting from the front lines remained the defining feature of his professional journey. For years, he covered crime news, accidents, police operations, crimes, natural disasters and the main developments in southern Albania. The seriousness and professionalism with which he worked earned him the public’s trust.

Among the most remarkable episodes of Mehmet’s career was his reporting on the armed robbery of a jewellery store in Vlora in 2021.

As citizens were leaving the area, he approached the armed robber to broadcast live and help prevent a tragedy. Although the perpetrator pointed a gun at him, Mehmeti did not back down and continued reporting until the incident ended. He later stated that he had carried out both “his duty as a journalist and as a citizen.”

Over the years, Enrik Mehmeti’s contribution to journalism and his involvement in social issues were honoured with various awards and recognitions, including the title “Vlora Personality of the Year 2015.”

Beyond exclusive news stories, he also stood out for his sensitivity to the community’s concerns and his willingness to help people in need.

For more than 20 years, Mehmeti remained loyal to the News24 logo. For him, journalism was not merely a job, but a way of life. In an interview, he also revealed the motto that guided him: “If there is something that cannot be done, I will definitely do it.” This phrase reflected his determination and his love for the profession.

Enrik Mehmeti died prematurely, leaving behind a professional legacy built on dedication, courage and respect for the truth.

He will be remembered as the reporter who never left the field, who lived journalism every day and who, despite the difficulties, placed informing the public above all else.

His memory will continue to live on among his family, friends and colleagues, as well as among the thousands of viewers who followed him over the years on News24, where he built his name and career with dignity.