A response to Vetevendosje Movement's denigrating campaign against Periscop and Nationales has also been made to call Prime Minister Kurti

“The Sefe Journalists chapter strongly condemns the deignive campaign launched by the Vetevendosje Movement...we call on Prime Minister Kurti to condemn this denigration campaign, and distance himself from these groundless accusations.” quex1> is said in response.

Safe Journalists' full response:

After broadcasting an article from a Bosnian media “Slobodna Bosna” Bosnia Free) in the main news edition of Kosovo Public Broadcasting, where they accused the Kosovo (National and Periscopi) media of being “controlled by Serbia and Vuciq”, MPs and ruling party Movement Vetevendosje officials have initiated an online slander campaign against Kosovo media. This campaign is not directed only at media and media owners, but has escalated into slanderous online campaigns and hate speech targeting journalists. These include influential individuals and citizens who comment on these posts.

“Article Slobodna Bosna” is based on sources and statements of a contractive figure called Boban Bogdanovic, who is identified as a Serbian political dissident. Salih Zyba, Dimal Basha, Dejona Mihali and Adnan Rrustemi have publicly criticised the media by referring to the non-professional article of “Slobodna Bosna” without enough arguments and facts.

Initially, this campaign targeted separate media, but later escalated into threats against all media operating in Kosovo. Furthermore, MP Adnan Rrustemi has called on the prosecution to investigate Kosovo media to understand whether Serbia is funding online media platforms in Kosovo. Also, in an interview that does not concern the subject, Justice Minister Albulen Haxhiu has confirmed that the situation has informed the Prosecutor and expressed her confidence in RTK as a reliable source of information.

The head of the Kosovo Journalists' Association AGK, Xhemajl Rexha, claims the situation is really serious. “We have been facing ongoing charges from the ruling Vetevendosje Movement party for years, but the situation is getting worse day. MPs from Prime Minister Kurti's political party are using an article, without author, only with resources and coming from neighbouring Bosnia to accuse Kosovo media of working for Serbia and Vucinqi. In addition, he added that this series of hate campaigning is so dangerous that we fear for the safety of our colleagues from both media, Nacional and Periscope. We will take responsibility for Vetevendosje, the Government of Kosovo and Prime Minister Kurti if anything happens to them. ”

Berat Buzhala, journalist and owner of the online NACIONAL portal states that “during these 24 hours we witnessed a campaign organised by the government, the ruling party and the director of the government RTKs that are attacking two online portals based on a speculating article produced in another country, without any evidence.” He also said “Campaign Against NACIONAL is funded by Vucinac and endangers the lives of every employee in our company. Such a direct government attack on the media has never occurred in these 25 years of freedom.” While Ilir Mirena of Periskopi similarly claims that what changes the recent attack on Periscop and Nacional from other attacks is that for the first time, the government used the public broadcaster, RTK, to attack other media with un verified news. The heavy “accuses published in the article and videos by the public broadcaster and distributed by ruling party officials present calls for public denigration, jeopardising the physical safety of our journalists. Any future attacks that jeopardise the physical security of our staff will be considered directly promoted by the ruling Vetevendosje Movement, led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti”, he has added.

The Sefe Journalists network strongly condemns the libel campaign launched by the Vetevendosje Movement, as well as the distribution of “news” such as attacking other media in Kosovo Public Broadcasting RTK. We call on Prime Minister Kurti to condemn this slanderous campaign and distance himself from these baseless charges. Moreover, we encourage the affected media to pursue legal action against those responsible for raising such serious accusations, including the main sources behind them.

The Sefe Journalists network will inform the respective national and international actors in this case.

Any attack on journalists is an attack on public interest, democracy and the rights of all citizens.

Pristina ) Skopje Sarajevo Using Zagreb

Kosovo Journalists Association

Macedonian Journalists' Association

BiH Journalists' Association

Croatian Journalists' Association

Association of Independent Journalists of Serbia

Montenegro Media Union