6 hours agoCivil society and AGK in support of editors removed from RTK: Cancel decision
Periskopi(10 months ago)
(10 months ago)A large number of civil society organisations, including the Association of Kosovo Journalists (AGK), have come out in support of six editors of Kosovo Radio (RTK), who have left the direction of information emissions they have been moderate for a long time. Journalists Blerta Foniqi-Kabashi, Meneta Zekaj-Nushi, Jehona Dzitia, Arton [...]
Journalists Blerta Foniqi-Kabashi, Meneta Zekaj-Nushi, Jehona Dzitia, Arton Mulliqi, Edona Musa-Mustafa and Valon Bajrami have declared they have left “screens arbitraryly and anti-legalally”. The organisations estimate that this decision constitutes another serious intervention in public broadcaster's editorial independence.
“Editors' removal has come shortly after they have challenged the government's representatives' questions in their emissions, as well as raised concerns about the three-week delays in salary payments,” is said in response. According to them, these developments are indications of continued political pressure on RTK, which, in addition to interventions in content, has intensified through budget cuts and political appointments in management.
The organisations ask for RTK management to annul the decision to remove editors from the screen and any future decision to be made in dialogue with them, respecting their professional contracts and freedom.
“RTK must work without political and financial pressures,” is highlighted in the joint response. Organisations, including AGK, Women Reporters' Network, Research and Media Institutions, express support for editors in following legal routes to annul the decision.
The list includes over 20 civil society organisations and independent actors who express deep concern for the situation in RTK and promote transparency and accountability from the management of this public institution.
