Schlumberger: Access to official information is the basis of a democracy
(TV21, KTV)
At the regional conference held with the topic of freedom of public information, Acting Deputy Prime Minister Edita Tahiri said that Kosovo is giving priority to reforms in access to official documents.
Irrespective to many complaints of journalists and civil society, Government says that access to official documents was possible in 90 per cent of cases.
The number of requests for access to official document is increasing each day. 1.173 such requests were filed only at Government’s address. Although journalists often complained about inability to access official documents, Government said that access was granted to 1.095 requests.
Head of the OSCE said that access to official information for media and civil society is the basis of a democracy.
“Free access to information is not always that easy. Many public institutions in European and Western states still face many challenges to adjust to information needs. They sometimes hesitate to provide complete information, either for policies, various activities, contracts or even salaries,” said Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Jean-Claude Schlumberger.
Public institutions continue to remain closed for many issues that are of public interest. By doing this, they violate the law on access to official documents, and journalists and civil society complained most about this matter.
OSCE condemns death threats against journalists in Kosovo
(TV21)
Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Jean-Claude Schlumberger, and OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, expressed their concern over the latest in a series of death threats against Artan Haraqija, a journalist with the Indeksonline news portal, following his TV appearance on religious extremism.
In the meantime, the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), is concerned with the current situation in Kosovo’s public broadcaster, – RTK.
A SEEMO press release states that RTK’s Trade Union members claim that besides constant pressure on professional journalists, another big problem remains the uncontrolled employment, with no employment procedures or financial coverage.
PDK failed to elect Assembly Speaker
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Continuation of Kosovo Assembly’s constitutive session did not last any longer than 15 minutes. 116 MPs responded to the call for session which had only one topic on its agenda and a name of the candidate for Assembly Speaker – Arsim Bajrami of PDK. On behalf of PDK, Hajredin Kuçi nominated Bajrami for Speaker’s position.
However, Bajrami managed to get only 44 votes of the MPs at the Assembly of Kosovo. On the other hand, 61 votes were casted against him, while 11 MPs abstained.
Seeing that the defeat was official, Assembly chairperson Florina Brovina decided to call off the session. She called on the Assembly Secretary not to repeat the mistake he did earlier.
LAN bloc and Vetëvendosje MPs met at the office LDK caucus, which is now being considered as their joint office. Isa Mustafa, Albin Kurti, Ramush Haradinaj and Bilall Sherifi of Nisma, in absence of Fatmir Limaj, said that Thursday’s session confirmed PDK’s failure. They said that PDK is keeping establishment of institutions hostage. These leaders warned that they will not wait long for the chairperson, reiterating that if she does not call the session, than they will act.
“One-hundred days were insufficient for the PDK to create a majority in the Assembly. The absolute parliamentary majority, 61 MPs, were against PDK’s candidate, who won only 44 votes,” said Albin Kurti after the meeting.
LAN Bloc and Vetëvendosje leaders believe that solution for the political deadlock is based on Articles 126 and 127 of Constitutional Court’s verdict; however, they did not reveal any plans how they will act.
Failure to elect Arsim Bajrami has pushed PDK to soften its stance. Hajredin Kuçi said that it is time for the political spectrum to sit at the table of discussion. He did not rule out the possibility of reaching a compromise. Nonetheless, Kuçi said that LDK-AAK-Nisma bloc and Vetëvendosje cannot elect Assembly Speaker on their own, as the Constitutional Court’s verdict does not allow this under any circumstances.
In an effort to overcome the current political deadlock and exercising her constitutional authority, Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga called political parties to a meeting shortly after Thursday’s session of the Assembly.
After discussions with Jahjaga, political parties did not give any signs of stepping back from their positions.
