Journalists Threatened by MPs, Public Officials

The Association of Kosovo Journalists(AGK) today has presented the second report regarding media freedom and journalists' safety.

In this case, the author of this report, Petrit Colak from AGK, has said that since 1999 there are 120 cases against journalists, only in the Pristina municipality are 90 cases, of them with 22 indictments, there are seven court judgments, while for 44 other cases the prosecution is collecting additional information.

He has raised the issue that journalists work in favourable conditions. Colak has also spoken of the security of journalists where 18 cases, physical attacks three, threats to 11, illegal imprisonment one, destruction of property one, intervention in the computer system two.

According to him, the AGK in this year even with its specially-focused Avoting pan has the security of journalists, in co-operation with the State Prosecutor, with the Constitutional Court in Pristina and Police.

The “Rasts included physical attacks, verbal threats, threats of life are 11 cases, we have a legitimate prison case of a colleague of ours by Macedonian authorities, a destruction of property that occurred earlier this year and there are two cases that police have classified with interference in the computer system... Who's the threat this year? There are several deputies of the new legislation, and there are municipal officials, there are also citizens who are not satisfied with the work of journalists and who threaten through Facebook”, and threatened with life and through calls. As are public threats that generally threaten journalists for their work”, Colak stressed.

The chief state prosecutor, Alexander Lumezi, has said their goal is to have good reports with media and civil society, and according to him, this co-operation between the State Prosecutor and the media should be aimed at eliminating weaknesses within the prosecutorial system, but also at eliminating weaknesses on the media scene, but also a string of deviations within these two systems.

He added that they have developed strategy for the issue of handling judicial processes against journalists. According to him, everyone must commit to media freedom. Lumez added that the media and the judiciary should be partners for anti-corruption co-operation.

We all have to engage to strengthen media freedom, but even media responsibility and their professionalism should be the subject of discussion. This is a complex issue, and it reminds us that the relationship between the state prosecutor and the media should be mutual and that apart from the transparency of the prosecution and the right of opinion to inform also implies the responsibility of the media. We cannot have justice in this country if we have influenced media”, Lumez stressed.

Arben Hoti deputy chairman of the Foundation Court has said that, within the framework of co-operation with AGK, cases of threats to journalists and cases of slander have been identified.

“What will attack on journalists is a direct attack on democracy and the rule of law, since the rule of law and its democracy have freedom of the media and free expression. Since our judicial system is the type of prosecution that remains in the bodies of such prosecutions as the police and the procuroia, to eventually reveal the perpetrators of criminal acts against journalists, to provide as much legal evidence as possible, while remaining by the court for these leaders after a transparent judicial process to pronounce sentences under the 34x1> law, Hoti said.

Even AGK Chairman Shkelqim Hysenaj has said it is disturbing to increase the number of cases of threats to journalists. He has said these issues have been raised to relevant organs to be dealt with seriously, since there are delays.

Naim Rexha deputy director of Kosovo police, who was a panelist, said the security issue should be approached more specifically. He has added that there should be bilateral co-operation with journalists for ash and public opinion. In addition, police deal with every case despite the description and prevention of the attack.

O Chief The SEU in Kosovo, Jan Braathu, has said that the role of journalists has great importance for a better government in the country. He has mentioned there is a large number of threats to journalists. He has warned reporters of their work despite threats, and has condemned the killings of journalists who have occurred since the post-war. According to him, 14 cases of murder have occurred, seven Albanians and others from the other community. O Chief The SEU has said this mission will continue to support this area for journalists' ethics. He also said that O mission The SEU will not stand hand in training journalists' ethics./I. Shaban/