AGK marks press freedom day: Journalists' attacks and harassment are on the rise, institutions must create a better environment

OSCE Ambassador to Kosovo Michael Davenport, through a video message, said that why Kosovo continues to mark high results in the region in terms of media pluralism, cases of threats and attacks towards journalists continue to be present.

He has stressed that statements by private and public individuals designed to influence journalists not to publish information are contrary to OSCE values.

“Declarations by private and public individuals designed to influence journalists not to publish information are contrary to O values The SEU and its principles. As highlighted in 2018, the decision by O Ministerial Council The SEU on the security and combating mistreatment or harassment of journalists... In this region Reporters Without Borders have continued to raise concerns about media professionals who have been the target of physical and verbal attacks. Cyberattacks, worries and other campaigns, Kosovo continues to rank relatively high in the region in terms of media pluralism, offering space and critical thought. But Kosovo is not free from these phenomena, we still have cases of threats of attacks on journalists, including 11 incidents since the beginning of 2022”, Davenport stressed.

AGK Director and the author of the report, Getorba Mulliqi Bojaj, has said the year 2021 has not been an easy year in all spheres. She said the media are one of the most hit sectors by the global pandemic caused by COVID-19, as well as the political changes that took place during 2021 in Kosovo.

According to her, last year is not that there has been any movement within the legal framework, but there has been a huge tendency of attacks and threats against journalists.

“in 2018 we have 17 cases of attacks, in 2019 21 cases reported, while during 2020 24 cases were recorded, and in 2021 this number of attacks, threats and harassment against journalists has increased to 29... Furthermore, 23 of the 29 cases recorded in AGK that occurred in 2021 were reported to the police, two of which are still under investigation, while two other cases that AGK has not reportedly selected journalists to remain anonymous, persons have been taken into custody for 48 hours. Unfortunately the trend of verbal threats to denigrative language by public officials and politicians through social media has increased, it is disturbing, given the fact that responsible persons must respect and promote media freedom and the safety of journalists are exactly those who are violating it”, she said.

The AGK estimates that the attacks and harassment of journalists are on the rise, and therefore the country's institutions must create a better and safer environment of journalism.

Kosovo's Council of Written Media Executive Director Imer Mushkolaj has said that there is a lack of internal codes, while he has said that concern remains disparity as journalists have no access to documents.

“We have lack of internal codes, at least not in written form of media written, online, respectively. But that does not mean that the code of ethics is missing. The code of ethics exists, is highly respected, but there are also its problems that are identified, especially in complaints coming to the Council of the media written, considered and then made of them. In recent times, there are rising complaints that come, and this is an indication of raising awareness even from institutions in this case, but also from citizens so that they can bring complaints and demand their right. But it remains disturbing the other side, I believe that transparency is extremely pronounced, especially in the last year. So. We have so much transparency that journalists in large measure are unable to access information and public documents, and that necessarily affects the reporting mode”, he said.

While he has added that concern increases when institutions' representatives do not follow the right ways in the sense of respecting legislation.

We remember that Kosovo is ranked 61st in the world in terms of press freedom and stands best compared to some countries in the region, as well as the early years.