European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)

Although the government says the ban is to protect children and privacy, rights groups say it “significantly exceeds proportionality” and should be revoked.

Press freedom groups condemn Republika Srpska’s adoption of the legislation, which they say will be used to target government critics.

Recent weeks have seen journalists receive death threats, and several police raids on CSOs that work on human rights and access to information.

On 26 February, Ukrinform news agency journalist Tetyana Kulyk and her husband were killed in their home in Bucha by a Russian drone.

Protests were among the most dangerous environments for journalists in 2024, with 271 press freedom violations recorded. Over 50% of these were physical attacks on journalists, often by state agents.

Some journalists have been killed as a result of Russian shelling, either indiscriminate or targeted, while others were likely killed in extrajudicial executions. Dozens more have been wounded.

“Trump’s anti-press rhetoric has already prompted many of his admirers, around the world and in Europe, to retaliate against the media. With Donald J. Trump back in the White House, they will feel even more empowered to harass the press” – EFJ

Kosovo has the worst record for impunity in the region: nineteen Serbian and Albanian journalists were killed, abducted and disappeared between 1998 and 2005, and those responsible have never faced justice.