The RTK Workers’ Union (SPERTK) has announced the cancellation of the protest scheduled for August 18, after the Acting Government of the Republic of Kosovo approved the loan request yesterday.

In a public statement, SPERTK thanked all RTK workers for their dedication and readiness during protests and union actions, especially those who worked unpaid for months in order not to leave citizens without information.

The union expressed gratitude for the support from the Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK), the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Kosovo (BSPK), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), ‘Qendra Solidare’, as well as unions and media in Albania and the United States that showed solidarity with RTK employees.

SPERTK calls on the new Assembly of Kosovo to urgently approve the new Law on RTK, ensure sustainable and independent financing, and introduce changes in the format of financial reporting. It also emphasized the need to fill the RTK board and leadership positions in accordance with the current law.

The union announced that the previously planned lawsuit will not be filed in court, and all documents collected with the consent of the workers will be destroyed in accordance with the law on the protection of personal data.

“Strengthening RTK means strengthening media freedom in a democratic country like Kosovo,” the SPERTK statement concludes.

Yesterday, the Acting Government of the Republic of Kosovo held an electronic meeting, during which it approved in principle RTK’s loan request of up to 2,540,000 euros for the purposes of ensuring the liquidity of the public broadcaster.