Media and its freedom in Kosovo
Dr Gashi MP (right) and Shpend Kallaba
The importance of this topic is crucial and a challenge to any democratic regime, whether it is well-consolidated or transitional, therefore we would like to bring in mind one sensational proverb by Napoleon Bonaparte: “I fear from the newspapers more than a hundred thousand bayonets.” Apparently, in politics this concept remains prevailing even today, but in a much more sophisticated manner.
We’re pleased to share with you my views regarding the case of Kosovo, after a decade of continuous international investment in the quality of freedom of the press. Referring to the recent FreedomHouse report, Kosovo is moving from Not Free to the Partly Free rank, which is encouraging but not a sustainable reality at all. Based on the latest progress report by the European Commission, overall freedom of expression is not fully guaranteed. The relevant institutional framework is not yet operational. Cases of political intimidation call for more robust measures by the Kosovo authorities.
In this respect, the main problem in Kosovo with regards to media remain in the sense that they can’t free itself from the still very strong financial and political pressures. Distribution of the written media is still embryonic leaving a lot of space for the more influential broadcast media. The leading channel Radio Television of Kosova (RTK) continues to expand under the direct influence of the government. Its funding depends on the goodwill of the Parliament of Kosovo, which is unlikely to want to deprive itself of the leverage that comes with this situation.
Also, the access to information and to public data remains difficult and has still not been guaranteed under law. The basis of written media self-regulation has been established with the creation of the Press Council of Kosovo. This regulatory body is made up of journalists and editors and can impose a right of reply or fines on journalists who breach the code of conduct and media ethics. But like the Media Commission, the Press Council is under government influence.
There are eight national dailies in the privately owned sector, but some of them are linked to political parties or financial groups that develop in their sphere of influence. In the absence of foreign investment in the sector, these groups regularly practice “blackmail through advertising”, in which they exchange their financial backing for advantageous media coverage. The independence of editorial lines suffers hugely from this lack of financial independence. Self-censorship that undermines part of the profession is moreover aggravated by the absence of any real social status for journalists. In this context, the freedom of Kosovo is facing a trend of uncertain perspective, considering that as long as there is economical dependency, there will be press dependency too.
Freedom of press is directly linked with economic interest of a poor country such as Kosovo, thus, we are experiencing a disgraceful media model to become dependent on the government’s public agenda, in order to survive. It is our serious concern that the dependence approach from the government funds and their influential channels towards media owners, starts to be transformed into a natural category in a society, which is in the process of its democratization. The likelihood of experienced journalists to be politically implicated/affiliated with political ambitions in the daily politics could hinder the democratization process, per se. As a result, civil society along with opposition forces may lose a credible and legitimate instrument toward the government.
Finally, this media model of inter-dependency in Kosovo, remain a serious concern and a challenge for upcoming European integration processes, having in mind that despite a solid legal framework, the attitudes and relationships between politics and journalists may seriously harm and neutralize any different alternative which is outside of this group of interest.
The political party “New Kosova Alliance”, as a newly established party in the Kosova Assembly, and also in the ELDR Party as affiliated member, considers as decisive its contribution in building a Kosovo with economic prosperity, political stability, integrated in the region and in the European Union, as a democratic and multiethnic state.
We would like to express our strong belief that the friendship and cooperation between our parties integrated in ELDR, will further strengthen, to the benefit of our countries and to peace and stability in this region of Europe.
By Dr. Ibrahim Gashi MP, Vice president of AKR, and
Shpend Kallaba, Member of Presidency of AKR