Despite advances in the legal framework, media freedom in Kosovo still faces major obstacles

A new report from the Council of Europe notes that Kosovo has made progress in building a diverse media landscape and improving legislation, but stresses that serious challenges remain in protecting journalists and ensuring a fully free environment for the press.

The findings were presented during the publication ceremony of the document prepared by the fact-finding mission of the Council of Europe Platform for the Safety of Journalists. Mary-Ann Hennessey, representative of the Council’s office in Pristina, explained that this platform serves as a mechanism that brings together international institutions, journalists’ associations, and civil society organizations to quickly signal threats to press freedom and to prompt coordinated responses from member states and partners. She added that even though Kosovo is not yet a member of the organization, the platform and its partners continue to monitor the situation and follow the reports of fact-finding missions.

Present at the event, the representative of the European Union Office in Kosovo, Boguslaw Gertruda, emphasized that media freedom and the protection of journalists are key pillars of democracy and essential elements of the country’s European integration path. He noted that these aspects are being carefully assessed in the framework of the EU enlargement process and that creating a favorable environment for independent journalism requires avoiding denigrating rhetoric, a fair legal framework, as well as prompt investigations and efficient judicial procedures to punish attacks on media professionals.

For her part, the Ambassador of Finland to Kosovo, Eevamari Laaksonen, acknowledged the significant steps in consolidating the legal framework, but warned that the report highlights ongoing difficulties. According to her, addressing these problems is indispensable to strengthen democratic institutions and advance European integration, emphasizing that a free press and independent institutions are not a final reward, but the foundation on which this journey must be built. Laaksonen added that editorial independence, transparency of media ownership, and high professional standards are just as vital as the protection of journalists.

Meanwhile, Agron Maxhuni, representative of the Kosovo Judicial Council, announced that judicial cases affecting the media are handled with priority, in accordance with the strategic plan for access to justice. He explained that, thanks to cooperation with partners and civil society, priority cases have been categorized, and this group includes all civil and criminal cases related to media institutions, thus ensuring special attention from judges specialized in the civil field.