International organisations with urgent calls for Government to review proposed KPM law

The European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) through a communique has called on Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti's office to review this bill.

According to them, lack of transparency during the drafting raises concerns, stressing the importance of involvement of journalists and civil society.

On December 27th, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo adopted the Bill for Independent Commission for Media (KPM). The main legal changes proposed are:

- Online media will submit to licensing and state control by the Independent Commission for Media (KPM).

Online media operating as nongovernmental organisations will be forced to open companies to meet the licenses requirements.

Online media will be forced to register on the online Media Record, which will be managed by the KPM.

- Online media will have to get KPM permission in case of change of ownership over 10%.

- Online media will submit to a regime of sanctions, including possible fines of up to 40,000 euros.

- The KPM will have 11 members and not seven, as it currently does.

KPM members will no longer have two, three and four years-long mandates, but a four-year term with re-election opportunities for another mandate.

The EPCPMF has called the move an open attack on media freedom in Kosovo.

“The penalty threat of up to 40,000 euros poses existential risks, especially for critical media. This bill perpetuates a hostile approach of the ruling party, signaling a continuing effort to tighten control over the media” - said further in the communique.

The group of organisations for press freedom has called on the prime minister's office to withdraw the bill and approach it with the standards of the Council of Europe and the OSCE.

“The true involvement of journalists, NGOs and all acts of acts is essential for legal rights changes”- is further highlighted in the communique.

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