Havenier: Government takes steps when journalists are threatened while doing their job

The US ambassador said journalism is the fourth power and as such has a fundamental role in informing the public to highlight potential abuses, which, according to him, serves in maintaining a real democracy. “I think it is good that the Government of Kosovo should take and take steps when journalists in Kosovo are threatened while at the helm of office. That is the responsibility of authorities in Kosovo. Many can agree that we have done our best in order to operate without obstacles and threats and, of course, without being attacked, and that is the fundamental provision of policymaking. We take this matter very seriously. In a previous interview, I speak in another context of how one of the founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson, has said journalism is the fourth power, because the role journalists play in informing the public to bring to light potential problems or abuses is critically important for a healthy democracy”, Havener said.

He added that he expects Kosovo institutions authorities to hold responsible individuals who in any form act against journalists. “Of course, we condemn any threat to journalists, the same as we condemn any attempt to oppose or threaten or prevent their work, and that remains our attitude. But we expect the Kosovo institutions to hold responsible people who physically or through social networks or other ways tend to threaten or discourage or act against journalists”, Hovenier said.