Albin Kurti’s call to investigate media exit polls is dangerous
The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) expresses deep concern over the recent public statement by the leader of Vetëvendosje and acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, calling on “justice and security institutions” to investigate the publication of exit polls by three television stations following the local elections.
Media outlets in Kosovo fully complied with the Law on Elections and the regulations of the Independent Media Commission (IMC). No exit poll results were published before 19:00, the official closing time of polling stations. Therefore, there was no interference in the electoral process by the media.
AJK considers Prime Minister Kurti’s call for investigations into the publication of these exit polls to be extremely dangerous, as it constitutes an open attack on media freedom. Exit polls are often subject to inaccuracies, a phenomenon observed in many democratic countries, including the United States during the 2016 elections.
AJK calls on Mr. Kurti and his political party to refrain from any interference or pressure on the media as they carry out their professional duties in covering the elections.
