(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ press release: IFJ Concerned by “Glaring Lack” of Safety Measures for Journalists and Media Staff in Kosovo The International Federation of Journalists today warned the Kosovar authorities over the lack of protection provided by police against bomb threats on Kosovar public broadcaster RTK and other media. Following the […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ press release:
IFJ Concerned by “Glaring Lack” of Safety Measures for Journalists and Media Staff in Kosovo
The International Federation of Journalists today warned the Kosovar authorities over the lack of protection provided by police against bomb threats on Kosovar public broadcaster RTK and other media.
Following the resignation last Tuesday of former Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, who was indicted on war crimes charges by The Hague war crimes tribunal, police received several written warnings that Kosovar public radio and television RTK, as well as other media outlets, would be bombed.
Despite the fact that police were informed about the threats the day before, they did not provide any specific measures of support or protection. In fact, they left it to the discretion of the RTK management to act. The RTK management simply decided to evacuate the majority of the staff, asking volunteers to risk their lives in order to maintain core programming.
“Kosovo is going through a process of democratic media reforms and we insist that journalists should be able to fulfil their public service mission,” said IFJ General Secretary Aidan White. “It is incomprehensible why the police and the authorities in general have shown a glaring lack of concrete support for journalists and media staff.”
The IFJ is calling on the OSCE, NATO and the UN to provide concrete assistance to guarantee the security of journalists in Kosovo, particularly taking into account increased levels of ethnic unrest and possible violence following the resignation of Haradinaj.
The IFJ is supporting its affiliate, the Association of Professional Journalists of Kosovo (APJK), in its calls for government action. The organisation has also reported on several attacks on journalists over the course of the last three weeks.
Close to ten days ago, Shpetim Jaha, an editor working for Top Illiria radio station, was threatened and intimidated by anonymous callers. Three weeks ago, security guards blocked journalist Izedin Krasniqi, of Koha Ditore newspaper, from accessing the premises of the Municipality of Mitrovica.
“Journalists must not be intimidated and unable to give vital information on major political events to the public,” said White. “The authorities in Kosovo must take immediate actions to assume their responsibilities and provide an adequate level of protection against these threats.”
The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries.