AGK board seeks from justice bodies to address journalists' defence more seriously

The Kosovo Journalists' Association Board, today in honour of World Press Freedom Day, has held a declaration of media in front of the Court of Justice to call for prosecutors and judges to address cases of violence against journalists.  

Statement without interference:

CHOOSE TO PROCURALS AND JUDGES 

Through this letter, let us express our concerns about dealing with cases of violence against journalists by asking for your side as the main part of the justice system, to treat with greater seriousness the protection of journalists from violence, which comes from exercising their activity as reporting issues that are public interest.

In the past five years, AGK has recorded 120 cases of threats, against journalists and other media employees. In all, 17 cases were recorded in 2018, 21 cases in 2019, 24 cases in 2020, 29 cases in 2021, and 33 cases during 2022. Only this year until the moment we're talking has there been 11 cases of attacks, with the most serious physical case against journalist Valon Syla. Thus, the number of cases of threats, attacks and harassment against journalists has increased year after year.

The attacks on journalists, except that they present criminal acts against life and body, they also violate one of the basic freedoms in a democratic society, which is freedom of expression. By not minimising the risk of any criminal acts, cases of attacks on journalists have a particular risk, which, in addition to the damaged side, endangers the freedom of journalists' speech and freedom of information of citizens.

Increasing attacks on journalists requires urgent response and adequate response from the justice system.

The AGK, highly recognises the adoption of the Strategic Plan for Improving Justice Access, with which journalists' cases can be handled within a short deadline, as do the co-ordinators' appointment of cases of violence against prosecutors.

Despite these positive developments, our main concerns remain the wrong qualifications of criminal acts on the part of prosecutors to journalists' attackers, mainly by selecting easier criminal acts and dragging cases into courts and extremely low sentences against the attackers of journalists deemed by judges. We demand from prosecutors that, in cases of attacks on journalists, take professional and independent investigations and charges against journalists' attackers compile, taking into account not only extenuating circumstances, but the graveened ones with the intention of discouraging attacks on journalists. Judges demand that cases of attacks on journalists be handled with high priority, and attackers receive sentences reflecting the risk of facing journalists rather than pronounce mild sentences.

Given the AGK's mission in protecting the freedoms and rights of journalists, promoting, encouraging and improving quality and open journalism in Kosovo, as well as the position of journalists in Kosovo, let us express the full readiness of AGK for any form of co-operation aimed at journalists' safety and creating a free media environment.