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Deterioration of media freedom in Kosovo/Reporters Without Borders Report

2025-05-02 08:55:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Kosovo has recorded the biggest decline in the last 15 years in the annual press freedom index of the organization "Reporters Without Borders", ranking 99th in the world out of 180 countries.

This is the second consecutive year that Kosovo has recorded a decline, as in 2024 it fell from 56th place to 75th.

In the report published by "Reporters Without Borders", on May 2, on the eve of World Press Freedom Day, Kosovo ranks worst in the Western Balkans and the European Union.

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AGK) said it is "alarmed by the new, drastic decline" of Kosovo in the ranking of the annual press freedom index.

"AGK is deeply concerned about this ranking, the lowest in a decade, since 2015. However, it sees it as a reflection of a continuous active hostile policy of the last two years led by the Government of the political party, Vetëvendosje," the AGK's reaction said.

This association invited institutional and civil society actors to work together to improve media freedom in Kosovo.

The Reporters Without Borders report found that in Kosovo, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, the media are facing an existential crisis due to budget cuts and political control.

Last summer, despite heavy criticism, the Kosovo Assembly approved a law on the Independent Media Commission (IMC), which, among other things, provided for the licensing of online media, their supervision, and fines of up to 40 thousand euros.

In 2024 alone, the Kosovo Journalists Association recorded 24 cases of attacks and threats against journalists. In 2023, the number was higher, 53 cases of attacks or threats against journalists.

Reporters Without Borders said journalists are often the target of insults and fake news on social media. They are, according to the report, "unfairly accused of 'collaborating with the enemy,' rhetoric used by political and religious groups."

Meanwhile, Albania ranks 80th, marking an increase compared to 2024, when it was ranked 99th.