Cases

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) considers unacceptable the behavior and language used by the Mayor of Pristina, Përparim Rama (LDK), toward Reporteri journalist Leonora Kolukaj. The journalist attempted to ask Mr. Rama a question before a press conference but was met with inappropriate conduct from him and his staff. Rama can be heard referring to the journalist as “loçkë” (a term roughly translating to "babe" or "sweetie"), a term he has repeatedly used in a…

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) is shocked by the unprecedented, personal, and highly dangerous attack by Vetëvendosje party MP Fitore Pacolli against RTK journalist Blerta Foniqi-Kabashi. MP Pacolli targeted the public broadcaster’s journalist just hours after a joint interview on the program “Info Plus,” during which Foniqi-Kabashi asked questions about current developments, including reports regarding potential financial benefits received by Pacolli’s…

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) strongly condemns the threatening and intimidating language used by Vetëvendosje MP-elect Nezir Kraki against Nacionale journalist Xhezair Dashi. The journalist had sent Kraki questions regarding his doctoral studies in France, to which Kraki responded with a warning, suggesting that asking such questions could “get him into trouble.” In an audio message, Kraki can be heard telling Dashi that “people neither forget nor forgive.”…

Radio Gorazdevac (Gorazhdec) journalist Damjan Portić has reported that he was obstructed in his work on Tuesday while covering the removal of graffiti in this village in the municipality of Peja. Portić was asked by members of the Kosovo Police not to film the graffiti removal process and was told to leave the area, despite having clearly identified himself as a journalist. The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) has described this behavior as unacceptable and calls…

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) expresses deep concern over a manipulated video targeting journalist Lirim Mehmetaj during a recent television appearance. In the video, a quote Mehmetaj read aloud, originally written by a third party on Facebook, is misleadingly presented as his own personal statement. The footage is edited to give the false impression that Mehmetaj insulted supporters of the Vetëvendosje political party. This fabricated clip has been widely…

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) has been informed by the news portal "Peja në Fokus" that insulting and threatening language was directed at journalist Valdrin Daci by Tahir Shala, Director of Agriculture in the Municipality of Peja, during an official event today. According to Daci, who was the only media representative present, he was subjected to verbal threats and offensive language from the municipal official in a public setting, witnessed by many…

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) expresses deep concern over a series of cyberattacks targeting the online economic news outlet Buletini Ekonomik in recent days. The outlet has informed AJK that the persistent attacks over the past week have severely disrupted its ability to operate normally. AJK strongly condemns these coordinated attacks, which come at a time when journalists from Buletini Ekonomik have been publishing a series of articles on Kosovo’s energy…

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) and the Network of Women Journalists of Kosovo (NWJK) strongly condemn the use of inappropriate and sexist language by the Mayor of Pristina, Përparim Rama (LDK), directed at journalist Edona Gashi from the show Piranjat. Using terms such as “sweetie,” “darling,” and similar expressions when addressing a journalist is not only unprofessional but also serves to downplay the seriousness of the issue being addressed and to…

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…

Vetëvendosje (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…

The 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…

The 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…

The 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…

The 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.

The 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…

A 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…

The 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…

The 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…

The 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…

The 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…