The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK), has expressed concern over reports of ongoing attacks, insults, and threats against journalists and basketball commentators Agon Fehmiu and Ulpiana Emra. AsistOnline’s editorial team informed the AJK that, during the final series between KB Bashkimi and KB Trepça, Fehmiu and Emra were subjected to attacks. In Prizren, during the incident when objects were thrown onto the court following the suspension of center player Michael…
Read MoreVetëvendosje (Guxo) MP Donika Gërvalla Schwarz has publicly attacked journalists and media outlets in at least two Facebook posts, while defending fellow MP Faton Peci. The acting Minister of Foreign Affairs wrote, "You, who are anything but journalists, continue with lies and fabrications,"and further added, "Let me not call these people who are clearly not journalists, mercenaries of lies and deceit." AJK strongly condemns this unacceptable language from a senior official…
Read MoreThe Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) expresses its deep disappointment with the response of Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, one week after the release of the Reporters Without Borders report on Kosovo. In a speech delivered at a party gathering, Kurti failed to acknowledge or address the report’s findings. Instead, he shifted blame to the media and journalists for Kosovo’s ranking at 99th place in the global press freedom index. Kurti’s proposal to offer…
Read MoreThe Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) is concerned about the ongoing incitement against the media by the political party Vetëvendosje. The AJK strongly condemns the language used by MP Salih Zyba, who shared an article from Radio Free Europe on his Facebook page. The article was fully published by Gazeta Express. The article discussed the celebrations in Moscow marking the victory over Nazism, and Zyba used it to attack Gazeta Express, writing: "Pro-Russian…
Read MoreThe Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) strongly condemns recent statements made by Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports, Sylejman Elshani, directed at the Roma-language radio station Romano Avazo, based in Prizren. In a televised interview, Deputy Minister Elshani questioned the professional qualifications of the journalists at Romano Avazo and cast doubt on the quality of the station’s work. Such statements are unacceptable and appear intended to undermine…
Read MoreThe Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) considers the language used by the Acting Minister of Agriculture and Member of Parliament, Faton Peci, against the host of the Debat Plus program on TV Dukagjini, Ermal Panduri, to be unacceptable and strongly condemns it. In a Facebook post, Mr. Peci referred to Mr. Panduri as a "scumbag" and made insinuations about his financial status. AJK views this as inappropriate and harmful behavior coming from a senior public official.
Read MoreThe Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) expresses its full support for journalist Iliri Pireva in her legal case against her former employer, Klan Kosova. Pireva recently announced via social media that she has filed a lawsuit, citing repeated violations of her labor rights. According to her statement, the decision to pursue legal action came after years of systemic disregard for employee rights, particularly regarding public holiday leave. “For 14 years at Klan…
Read MoreA television crew from Klan Kosova, consisting of journalist Gremisa Latifi, camera operator Arbnor Ibriqi, and driver Gazmend Salihu, was physically obstructed by an individual during a live report from the village of Strellc, in the municipality of Deçan. The individual exited a vehicle and verbally abused the crew, demanding that they stop filming. The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) condemns this threat and calls on the Kosovo Police to initiate efforts to…
Read MoreThe Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) expresses deep concern over the recent threat directed at the editorial office of the Insajderi. According to the media's report, an individual named A.I. went to the newsroom in Prishtina and threatened the journalists, demanding the removal of a video featuring a Kosovar participant in the Iraq war. "Blerim Heta is alive, remove that video or else you won’t be safe. You have greetings from Blerim Heta," he reportedly told the…
Read MoreThe Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) is deeply concerned by the continued use of unacceptable and inflammatory rhetoric against journalists by the Vetëvendosje (VV) party. AJK strongly condemns the personal and familial attack launched by Dejona Mihali, a representative of this political party, against journalist and host of the television program Rubikon, Adriatik Kelmendi. Mihali, along with other VV officials, has persisted in making serious attacks on…
Read MoreThe Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) expresses its deep concern over the defamatory campaign and coordinated attacks against the organization and the Chairman of the Board, Xhemajl Rexha. Rather than acknowledging and reflecting on the alarming 24-place drop—which positions Kosovo below all countries in the region and alongside states with longstanding records of censorship and violence against journalists—elected officials from the ruling party, Lëvizja…
Read MoreThe Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) strongly condemns the obstruction that the close protection of Prime Minister Kurti made today to the journalist of T7, Genc Godanci, while he was trying to ask him questions about the Reporters Without Borders' Media Freedom Index. One of the members of the close protection is seen twice physically grabbing the journalist's hand, and another presents the second obstacle in the attempt to get answers. This is not the first time…
Read MoreThe Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) has been informed about the lawsuit filed by journalist Naim Kryeziu and camera operator Fatos Rakovica against their former workplace, Kanal 10 (Java Multimedia Production). Both stated in a Facebook post reaction that they "were arbitrarily dismissed from work, were not paid their last two salaries, and their pension contributions were not paid" during their time working for this media outlet. AJK supports their legal battle…
Read MoreThe Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) is deeply concerned about the systematic campaign by the largest parliamentary party, Vetëvendosje, against the national private broadcaster Klan Kosova. The party’s Secretary General, Alim Rama, in a post this Monday, called on VV members to boycott this television station. Such a lynching campaign is unacceptable. Publicly targeting the station—and, by extension, its journalists, camera operators, and other staff—endangers…
Read MoreThe Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) has received with concern and strongly condemns the obstructive action of the Member of Parliament from the Turkish Democratic Party of Kosovo (KDTP), Fikrim Damka, against KALLXO.com journalist Shqipron Xhema, while he was carrying out his professional duties during today’s constitutive session of the Assembly of Kosovo. According to reports, journalist Xhema, while attempting to obtain a statement from MP Damka regarding…
Read MoreThe Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) welcomes the organization and response of journalists from Kosovo's media in demanding transparency from the Energy Regulatory Office (ERO). Last week, ERO invited only journalists to a “consultative meeting,” without the presence of cameras and media, to discuss the potential increase in electricity prices. Today, journalists refused to participate in the meeting without the presence of cameras. AJK welcomes this action by…
Read MoreThe Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) has received with concern the defamatory campaign directed against the Serbian-language radio station, Radio Gorazhdeci (Goraždevac), based in the municipality of Peja. According to reports, a portal named SrpskiGlas.rs published an article calling for a boycott of this media outlet, claiming that they are “serving independent Kosovo.” The Editor-in-Chief of Radio Gorazhdeci, Darko Dimitrijević, stated that the media outlet he…
Read MoreThe Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) has been informed that the journalist from the Kossev portal in North Mitrovica, Dragana Vukosavleviq (Dragana Vukosavljević), has been threatened by an official of the North Mitrovica municipality and has been subjected to pressure. Vukosavljević had reported on the failure to register newborns in this municipality, using the responses of the civil registry official, F. Stavileci, after several attempts to obtain official…
Read MoreThe Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) strongly condemns the sexist, unacceptable, and degrading language used by Visar Geci against KOHA journalist Meridiana Statovci. Geci, who serves as an advisor to the Mayor of Pristina, Përparim Rama, attacked journalist Statovci with derogatory language due to her reporting on the construction work on “George W. Bush” street in the capital. AGK demands that Mayor Rama clearly distance himself from and condemn this language…
Read MoreThe Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) expresses deep concern following the confirmation of the punishment of three editors of the Public Broadcaster, RTK, by the Television Director, Rilind Gërvalla. Jehona Zhitia, Valon Bajrami, and Arton Mulliqi were sanctioned for not airing a report about the Government and Prime Minister Kurti in the late-night news edition. One of the editors stated that the report "did not meet professional standards" and was therefore not…
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