On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the regression that Kosovo has marked in the Reporters Without Borders Index, falling by 19 places, from position 56 to 75, is considered a disturbing and alarming situation for the media in our country.
The inappropriate approach of the government towards the media in Kosovo is considered to be among the main causes for this drop in the ranking. The Association of Journalists of Kosovo, the Council of Written Media of Kosovo, and the Independent Media Commission, in the discussion held on the challenges of maintaining professional standards and the code of ethics during reporting, emphasized that the government should take concrete actions to improve the current situation.
The President of the Association of Journalists of Kosovo, Xhemajl Rexha, said that the drop of 19 positions of Kosovo in the Reporters Without Borders report should be an alarm for the Government of Kosovo.
Rexha emphasized that the safety of journalists has been and continues to be a concern, while he mentioned that during the past year alone, around 30 attacks have been recorded within a few weeks in the north of Kosovo.
According to him, the improvement of this situation is absolutely in the hands of the government, for which he called that the new law of the IPC should not be sent for final approval.
The head of the OSCE mission in Kosovo, Michael Davenport emphasized that during the last 12 months there has been an increase in violence towards journalists.
He said that the OSCE’s focus is on consolidating the skills of journalists, editors, and the media in general, including focusing on the promotion and integrity of ethical standards.
The director of the Council of Written Media in Kosovo, Imer Mushkolaj, said that the government’s attempt to reduce the trust of the media in the public has affected the work of journalists. He said that the inappropriate approach of the government has made journalists an easy target of attacks and obstacles in doing their work.
Journalist Gentiana Hasani also emphasized that journalists are facing more and more challenges during their reporting. Hasani also considers that the government’s approach to journalists has influenced the ranking of Kosovo in the Reporters Without Borders report.
The director of “Romano Avazo” Radio, Fatmir Menekshe, said that not only the party in power, but also other parties are influencing and hindering the media to do their job. He said that this is affecting not only the central media, but also the community ones.
In the annual report of the World Organization “Reporters Without Borders” for the year 2023, Kosovo rose five places (56) compared to 2022, when it was ranked 61st.
May 3 is the World Press Freedom Day since 1993, which was established by the General Assembly of the United Nations./Z. Zeneli/
