AGK: Media freedom report is no surprise to journalists but alarm for government

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo, along with the Kosovo Council of Written Media and Independent Media Commission, have marked World Press Freedom Day.

AGK Chairman Xhemail Rexha has expressed deep concern over Kosovo's 19 countries ranking below in the annual index for media freedom of “Reporters without Borders”.

However, according to Raja, this is no surprise for journalists, due to major security problems last year, but should be an alarm for the Government of Kosovo.

He has said the KPM bill should not be sent to the Assembly for approval, and that the same must be considered with media representatives and civil society in Kosovo.

“As rarely has breakfast ever started with a report by the Reporters Without Borders Index, which in recent years Kosovo marks the largest regrition, 19 countries below last year when it was ranked 56th”.

This ranking may not be a surprise to what we experienced in the last year, but it should be an alarm for Kosovo institutions, for Government. The journalists' security has been a concern last year”, Rexha said.

While, O Mission Chief SEU in Kosovo, Michael Davenport, said O The SEU will support journalists to perform their free work.

Davenport has also stressed that in the past 12 months there has been an increase in violence against journalists.

“Today is the day to celebrate the vital role of the media in democracy, inform the public and retain responsible authority. It's not bad to remember today that journalists should feel in good shape and strong, to make their work free first”.

The report of free Borders has placed Kosovo in 75th place and there is no doubt that in the past 12 months we have had increased violence against journalists. Over the past 12 months, we have also had concerns of exercising threats by officials. The OSCE is committed to supporting you to do your work”, he said. /EconomiaOnline