Reporters Without Borders: Deterioration of media freedom in Kosovo

Kosovo has recorded the biggest decline in the last 15 years in the annual press freedom index of the organization Reporters Without Borders, ranking 99th in the world out of 180 countries.

This is the second consecutive year that Kosovo has recorded a decline, as in 2024 it fell from 56th place to 75th.

In the report published by Reporters Without Borders on May 2, on the eve of World Press Freedom Day, Kosovo ranks worst in the Western Balkans and the European Union.

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AGK) said it is "alarmed by the new, drastic decline" of Kosovo in the ranking of the annual press freedom index.

"AGK is deeply concerned about this ranking, the lowest in a decade, since 2015. However, it sees it as a reflection of a continuous active hostile policy of the last two years led by the Government of the political party, Vetëvendosje," the AGK's reaction said.

This association invited institutional and civil society actors to work together to improve media freedom in Kosovo.

Meanwhile, the legal advisor at the European Center for Press and Media Freedom, Flutura Kusari, has listed several reasons that, according to her, have contributed to the country being ranked in the lowest position.

"Political attacks on journalists, specifically mentioning the unfounded accusation against journalists that they are allegedly collaborating with the enemy; Radio Television of Kosovo; Law on the Independent Media Commission; Boycott of the media before the elections; Non-implementation of the Law on Access to Public Documents; Surveillance of journalists; Police and prosecution investigate cases, but do not file indictments and Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation," she wrote on Facebook.

Kusari also called for the urgent establishment of a national committee for media freedom and journalist safety, in order to halt the downward trend "through concrete measures and state policies."

"But, there is a prerequisite for this: The Vetëvendosje Movement must stop attacks on journalists and the media and extend a hand of cooperation to the media and civil society organizations," she wrote in another Facebook post.

The Reporters Without Borders report found that in Kosovo, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, the media are facing an existential crisis due to budget cuts and political control.

Last summer, despite heavy criticism, the Kosovo Assembly approved a law on the Independent Media Commission (IMC), which, among other things, provided for the licensing of online media, their supervision, and fines of up to 40 thousand euros.

This week, the Constitutional Court of Kosovo struck down this law, after finding that some articles of the law were not in accordance with the country's Constitution.

As for the law on the IMC – now repealed – Reporters Without Borders described it as controversial and “risks further impeding the independence” of the IMC.

Meanwhile, earlier this year, the ruling party, Vetevendosje Movement, was criticized for boycotting the media.

In January, international and local non-governmental organizations called on Vetëvendosje to abandon its boycott of certain media outlets.

Vetëvendosje had said that it was not boycotting the media, but was "excluding" three specific channels and that such a decision "did not harm Kosovo's rich and diverse media landscape."

She did not mention names, but previous reactions from media organizations indicated that it was about some of the major television stations in the country, such as Klan Kosova, TV Dukagjini and T7.

"Ahead of the general elections, several private media outlets were boycotted by the Government, which also threatened the independence of the public broadcaster, RTK. Serbian-language media outlets, which are under pressure from Serbian political forces, have complained of discrimination in terms of access to public information, particularly in their own language," the Reporters Without Borders report said.

In 2024 alone, the Kosovo Journalists Association recorded 24 cases of attacks and threats against journalists. In 2023, the number was higher, 53 cases of attacks or threats against journalists.

Reporters Without Borders said journalists are often the target of insults and fake news on social media. They are, according to the report, "unfairly accused of 'collaborating with the enemy,' rhetoric used by political and religious groups."

"In recent years, many journalists have been subject to threats and physical attacks by criminal networks and also due to political tensions between Pristina and Belgrade. Some journalists have been the target of wiretapping. Although attacks are investigated by the police and prosecution, they rarely result in criminal prosecution," the report said.

Meanwhile, Albania ranks 80th, marking an increase compared to 2024, when it was ranked 99th.

The report found that the media landscape in Albania – like in Greece, which ranks 89th – is characterized by conflicts of interest.

Of the other Balkan countries, Montenegro ranks best, in 37th place, followed by North Macedonia in 42nd place, Bosnia and Herzegovina in 86th, and Serbia in 96th.

The report also highlights that independent media in Europe and Central Asia are facing an unprecedented economic crisis, exacerbated by the immediate halt to US aid and the growing influence of Russian propaganda.

The report mentions, among other things, the efforts of the administration of US President Donald Trump to suspend funding for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty./REL