The International Press Institute (IPI) today joins partner organizations in publishing a report examining the state of media freedom in Kosovo, following a joint fact-finding visit to the country earlier this year.

The delegation concludes that, while Kosovo has a pluralistic media landscape, low levels of physical violence against journalists, and broad legislative alignment with European and international standards, media freedom in Kosovo has experienced a period of decline.

The passing by parliament of a media law – later rejected as unconstitutional – which would have increased political control over the Independent Media Commission (IMC), the insufficient funding and pressures on Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK), as well as a sustained increase in verbal targeting and denigration of journalists by ruling party politicians, are the principal factors behind this assessment.

This report was drafted by members of the delegation and reflects the main findings of the mission and offers recommendations to the government.

IPI joined the mission along with the Association of European Journalists (AEJ), European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), Index on Censorship, Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT), European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The mission was supported by the Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK).

The two-day visit followed up on a similar fact-finding mission to Kosovo organized by the Council of Europe Platform partners in 2022.