4 minutes agoEU clear criticism of power: Improve access to the media, any attack on journalists is shameful.
Periskopi(4 years ago)
(4 years ago)“For reliable and balanced reporting, like the fourth pillar of democracy, the media must be free, pluralistic and professional, and should enjoy the security and unwavering freedom of expression”, EU Ambassador to Kosovo Thomas Szunyog said today. He has said that any attacks on journalists, whether on the internet, verbal [...]
He has said that any attacks on journalists, whether on the internet, verbal or physical, is shameful and must be condemned, said a media communique.
On World Press Freedom Day, he stressed that the EU Report on Kosovo 2021 acknowledges that Kosovo benefits from a pluralistic and dynamic media environment, but that concerns remain in connection with public targing campaigns, threats and physical attacks on journalists.
Any attack on journalists, whether they are online, verbal or physical, is shameful and must be condemned”, Szunyog said.
He called on institutions responsible for improving reactions to attacks and other forms of pressure on the media, and praised the Kosovo Journalists' Association for his role in protecting journalists and freedom of expression.
Referring to the dezinformation campaign stemming from Russian aggression against Ukraine, Ambassador Szunyog stressed the high level of professionalism of most of Kosovo's media in reporting on war in Ukraine and welcomed Kosovo's readiness to host Ukrainian journalists in these difficult times.
He stressed with concern that Kosovo's lack of financial stability was further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving it vulnerable to political and business interests, while still no sustainable solution for public broadcaster financing has been found.
Ambassador Szunyog welcomed the recent approval by the Kosovo Assembly of the Free Jurydical Assistance Law, which, for the first time, will also serve media professionals.
“The adoption of the Free Juridical Assistance Law from the Parliament was a step in the right direction to ensure media freedom in Kosovo, and the EU in turn will continue to finance, support and work on initiatives that contribute to further professionalism and sustainability of the media”, Szunyog said.
EU support for the Kosovo media sector amounts to 2m euros, while additional 13.5m euros have been earmarked to support media freedom in the Western Balkans region during the period 2021-23.
