Political pressure jeopardises progress of media freedom in Kosovo

The government Kurti is continuing to be criticised for pressure on journalists in Kosovo, writes Periscopi.

So says a report published by the European Centre for Media Freedom.

“Media representatives noted as a particular concern that divisive rhetoric and slanderous campaigns directed at journalists by some politicians and public officials, including the ruling party, are creating a growing climate of anti- media hostility. They said these verbal attacks and attempts by political figures to divide the journalistic community, or portray media as political actors, could lead to threats, cyber harassment and physical violence” are said among other things in the report.

Also mentioned are attacks on journalists, until the judiciary is criticised for lack of prosecution.

Despite significant progress in these areas, journalists' security and impunity for crimes against journalists continue to present challenges for the overall landscape of media freedom. While physical attacks remain rare, serious threats have been documented last year by the Kosovo Journalists' Association. The judicial process in criminal and civil cases remains slow, and journalists expressed concern over the lack of criminal prosecution”, the report said.

The full report you find clicking here: RATIO

We remember that the current government was also criticised in the UN report.

Published Report  He stressed that journalists in Kosovo were threatened with publishing articles criticising the work of the Government, political parties or individual officials.