AGK publishes three media reports in Kosovo: 69 attacks on journalists during 2025 and increased hate speech

During the report's presentation, AGK Board Chairman Xhemajl Rexha said the findings reflect the reality journalists face in Kosovo.

“These reports show with real statistics and developments facing journalists in Kosovo, with ongoing online attacks coming very often from politics, but also with real physical attacks, resulting from a heavy climate of journalism”, Rexha said.

He added that the reports' recommendations call on actors who obstruct the work of journalists to stop these practices, while justice institutions address cases of media attacks as priorities.

Jerome Bouyjoou, chief of Human Rights in UNMIK and representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Kosovo, also participated in the event, which stressed the importance of these reports to understand freedom of expression trends and media in the country.

He called for quick investigation into attacks on journalists and greater institutional commitment to the protection of media freedom and human rights.

69 attacks on journalists during 2025

The first report, “Media Freedom Ratings and Journalists' Security Index 2025”, presented by the ghetto Mulliqi and Yll Zekij, reveals the contrast between the legal framework and the practical reality in Kosovo.

According to the report, although Kosovo has a relatively advanced legal basis for guaranteeing freedom of expression and protecting journalists, implementing laws and institutional efficiency remain problematic.

Among the main challenges cited are delays in access to public information, political influence on regulatory institutions, lack of protection against abusive indictments (SLAPP), as well as political and economic pressures on the media.

The report also stresses that journalists continue to work under uncertain conditions, with unstable contracts and under constant pressure.

In terms of security, the year 2025 has been characterised by 69 cases of attacks on journalists, coupled with increased hate speech and delegateal rhetoric by public and political figures.

Political discussion dominates hate language

The second report, “Monitory of Media and Hate Language” for the March 2026 period, presented by Professor Jeton Mehmeti, has analysed 138 cases of hate language and harmful disks in the media and social networks.

According to the findings, 71.7 percent of cases are related to hostile and polarising political discours, where political opponents are often labeled “traffickers”, “enemies” or “National threats”.

Also, 77.5 percent of the cases are recorded in the Albanian - language media, and 22.5 percent in those in the Serbian language.

The report highlights the rise in rhetoric against journalists, the use of conspiracys and the strong impact of digital platforms on deepening social polarisation.

Attacks on Journalists Remain Systemic Problem

The third report, presented by Burbuke Kastrati by the FOL Movement, addresses journalists' security and media freedom in Kosovo for the period 202126.

According to the report, 18 cases of attacks on journalists were recorded during 2022, 20 cases were recorded in 2023, and 26 cases were recorded in 2023.

Nine cases were reported for 2025, while during January 2026 alone, nine other cases were also recorded.

The report states that attacks on journalists include physical attacks, direct threats, obstruction of professional exercise, online campaigns and hate speech, as well as gender-based attacks on journalists.

One of the main concerns raised is the lack of effective legal prosecution, as only a small part of the case ends with the indictment./ Periscope.