Safe Journalists react to Pacolli's statement, condemns any attempts to control media by the government

The Vetevendosje Movement Resolution, Victory Pacolli, in its current address in the Republic of Kosovo Assembly has suggested that the Parliament and Government take action against the media, as it called for government media regulation, especially online portals. In Kosovo, most media are registered as businesses under the Kosovar Agency for Registering Businesses ARBK, while the rest of the media are registered as NGOs and their activity is regulated by the laws and regulations in power, as well as the Code of Goodwill, the Independent Commission for Media and the Council of Written Media of Kosovo”, said in the response of the SafeJornalists Network.

“MP Pacolli's open call for direct intervention of the Government of Kosovo for media control is unacceptable as it is perceived as also endangering freedom of speech and democracy”, it is said further.

At the end of the response, the international network reacted sharply to such narravities and called for halting efforts of this kind that require government control over independent media.

The Safe Journalists, representing more than 8,200 media professionals in the Western Balkans, joins its AGK partner in condemning such nationalists and urges all officials and politicians to refrain from using such stories that are dangerous to democracy. We condemn any initiative of governments aimed at controlling the media, as these efforts are unacceptable in democratic countries. Any threat to media freedom is a threat to public interest, democracy and the rights of all citizens.”, the communique concluded.

This is the complete communique:

Vetevendosje Movement MP Victory Pacolli, in her current address in the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, has suggested that Parliament and Government take action against the media after it called for government media regulation, especially online portals. In Kosovo most media are registered as businesses under the Kosovar Agency for Registering Business ARBK, while the rest of the media are registered as NGOs, and their activity is regulated by the laws and regulations in power, as well as the Code of Goodness. The Independent Commission for Media and the Council of Kosovo Written Media.

MP Pacolli's open call for direct intervention of the Government of Kosovo for media control is unacceptable, as it is perceived as also endangering freedom of speech and democracy.

This is a very disturbing statement that Deputy Pacolli has made and is not the first time she deals with the media. Its call for direct government involvement in media businesses is alarming and we hope it is not a sign of things coming from the ruling party. Any intervention would constitute an open attack against media freedom and the safety of journalists in Kosovo”, said Xhemajl Rexha, chairman of the Kosovo Journalists' Association Board AGK.

The Safe Journalists network, which represents more than 8,200 media professionals in the Western Balkans, joins its AJK partner in condemning such nationalists and calls on all officials and politicians to refrain from using such stories that are dangerous to democracy. We condemn any initiative of governments aimed at controlling the media, as these efforts are unacceptable in democratic countries.

Any threat to media freedom is a threat to public interest, democracy and the rights of all citizens.