Despite progress in the legal framework and the development of a pluralistic media landscape, Kosovo continues to face challenges in ensuring media freedom and the safety of journalists.
These assessments were made at the conference marking the launch of the media freedom report by the fact-finding mission of the Council of Europe Platform for the Safety of Journalists.
Mary-Ann Hennessey from the Council of Europe Office in Pristina said that the platform enables rapid reporting of threats to press freedom and coordinated responses by institutions and partner organizations.“The Council of Europe’s platform for promoting the protection of journalism and the safety of journalists brings together international, non-governmental organizations and journalists’ associations, enabling rapid reporting of threats to press freedom and facilitating coordinated responses by our member states and partners. Although Kosovo is not yet a member state, the platform and its partner organizations continue to monitor and follow the reports of our current fact-finding missions... Kosovo has made important progress in developing a pluralistic media landscape, and all those present here, including the government, judiciary, media, and civil society,” she said.
The representative of the European Union Office in Kosovo, Boguslaw Gertruda, said that media freedom and the safety of journalists are fundamental democratic values and an important part of Kosovo’s European integration process. Finland’s Ambassador to Kosovo, Eevamari Laaksonen, acknowledged progress in developing the legal framework but said that serious challenges remain in the field of media freedom.“Kosovo has made important progress in developing its legal framework. At the same time, this report reminds us that serious challenges remain. Addressing them is crucial for strengthening democratic institutions and advancing Kosovo’s European path, which has already been mentioned here. This path passes through a terrain where a free press, safety from fear, and independent institutions are not the reward at the end of the process. Rather, they are the very foundation upon which this journey must be built. However, freedom and responsibility go hand in hand. While protecting journalists is essential, editorial independence, transparency of media ownership, and high professional standards are equally important,” she emphasized.
Meanwhile, the representative of the Kosovo Judicial Council, Agron Maxhuni, said that cases related to the media are treated as a priority within the strategic plan for access to justice.
