News

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK), in partnership with the German Embassy in Kosovo, the European Union in Kosovo the British Embassy Pristina, and the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom ECPMF organized on August 25 a special event to mark Ukraine’s Independence Day.

This activity was held in solidarity with Ukrainian journalists sheltered in Kosovo under the “Journalists in Residence” program, which since 2022 has provided support to media professionals forced to leave their country due to the war.

Opening remarks were delivered by:

The Chair of the AJK Board, Xhemajl Rexha, who also moderated the discussion,

The German Ambassador to Kosovo, Jörn Rohde,

The Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti,

Ukrainian journalist Iryna Synelnyk, representative of the group of Ukrainian journalists sheltered in Kosovo,

Flutura Kusari, media lawyer at ECPMF,

Feride Rushiti, Executive Director of KRCT - Kosova Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims.

Additionally, the President of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, Sergiy Tomilenko, addressed the audience online and presented his documentary, which portrays the work and challenges of Ukrainian journalists during the Russian occupation. The documentary was shown for the first time to participants, offering a powerful insight into the role of journalists in reporting the truth in times of war.

The event brought together representatives of diplomatic missions in Kosovo, international organizations, local partners, institutional representatives, as well as the community of local journalists, once again demonstrating broad solidarity with the people and journalists of Ukraine.

Through this activity, AJK reaffirmed that media independence and support for journalists at risk remain a fundamental part of our mission, as we continue to stand by Ukrainian colleagues who, under extraordinary circumstances, persist in carrying out their work with professionalism and courage.