OSCE organizes conference of regional public broadcasters
(RTK2, RTK1)
Conference with the regional public broadcasters was held for the third time, where challenges of minority programs in regional public media were tackled on.
Representatives of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo said that qualitative service for all audiences is crucial for the public service broadcaster.
“Today we live in knowledge-based societies that require an empowering social vision. Societies are intrinsically connected to the principles of freedom of expression, cultural, ethnic and religious diversity. In order to achieve its goal toward all audiences, the public broadcaster should do a lot of work. To achieve this goal, OSCE has been supporting the Kosovo public broadcaster (RTK) on its path to becoming a powerful public broadcaster,” stated Tatjana Shikoska, Acting Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) leaders said that they support the public broadcasters in order for them to offer qualitative programs for all audiences, including the program for minorities, because, according to them, this is an important element for the public broadcaster.
“Public broadcasters should work a lot to achieve audience expectations. I was in RTK and I saw that there are programs for minorities, while there is also a channel in Serbian. It is important to treat minorities as a subject, and not as an object,” EBU Media Director Annika Nyberg Frankenhaeuser said.
Radio and Television of Kosovo General Director Mentor Shala spoke about RTK challenges and achievements. He said that irrespective to lowest funding in the world, RTK, as the public broadcaster, managed to open its channel in Serbian, while it also has daily program for all communities in Kosovo.
He considers that RTK is an example that should be followed not only in the region, but probably Europe as well, for the treatment it makes to minority programs. Shala once again called on Kosovo Assembly and Government to support financing of the digitalization process.
Conference for regional public broadcasters was organized by the OSCE, in cooperation with RTK and EBU.
VLAN: Coalition is stable
(Most monitored broadcasters, RTK1)
VLAN leaders came out with a joint stance on Monday saying that the coalition is stable, strong and that the parliamentary majority composed of the four coalition parties will form institutions.
Nisma për Kosovën chairperson, Fatmir Limaj, presenting the stance of all four parties, expressed their concern about unwillingness of Flora Brovina to convene the constitutive session.
He also said that the Coalition continues to be united as it was earlier. Asked if Nisma për Kosovën supports meetings of VLAN Coalition, Limaj said that the Coalition is united and that it will lead Kosovo institutions.
In an interview with RTK, AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj reconfirmed that there are no fractions within the VLAN bloc. According to him, this debate was deliberately provoked by PDK and individuals that want to benefit from such agendas.
Thaçi calls on parties to reflect
(Most monitored broadcasters, RTK1)
Caretaker PM and PDK chairperson Hashim Thaçi considers that the way out of the political deadlock created after June 8 elections lays in cooperation between political party leaders.
Thaçi once again called on parties to reflect, while he added that as the winning party of elections, PDK will act constitutionally to take Kosovo out of the current crisis.
Thaçi made these statements following the PDK Presidency meeting held on Monday.
Civil society concerned about latest developments in EULEX
(Most monitored broadcasters, TV21)
Kosovo civil society expressed its concern regarding the latest developments in EULEX Mission, after the allegations and counter-allegations on the involvement of EULEX officials in corruption affairs.
“The trust in the work of EULEX has faded significantly during this period, as a result of the insufficient performance to fight organized crime and corruption, especially in the higher levels. Corruption affairs published in recent days have struck the public trust and reputation of the mission, but also of the judicial system of Kosovo,” reaction of the civil society organizations reads.
Mogherini: EULEX affair to be treated with maximal transparency
(Most monitored broadcasters, TV21)
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini made it clear on Monday in Brussels that she wants to see the issue of corruption allegations within the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) be treated with maximal transparency.
She believes that it is at EU’s interest to explain all details related to this issue and it is taking all measures into account to deal with this matter transparently and in order to save Mission’s credibility, said Maja Kocijancic, spokesperson of the EU High Representative in a meeting with journalists.
Serb returnee of Klinë/Klina attacked
(Klan Kosova & RTK2)
Another incident aimed against Serbs in Kosovo happened on Monday. Gunshots were fired at the Serb returnee, Milovan Ribac, while he was doing his land in village Dërsnik of Klinë/Klina municipality. The case was reported to Kosovo Police in Klinë/Klina, who carried out investigations at the scene.
Milovan Ribac returned to Dërsnik village in 2005. He does not live regularly in the village, but he mainly comes during seasonal land-work.
This is the second time that he was a target of attack. Ribac was also attacked in 2007. Ribac said that the case was reported to Police; however, according to him, cases that happen in this village never get solved.
Kosovo Police regional spokesperson Xhevat Ibraj said that State Prosecutor has also been informed about this case.
Kosovo minister for communities and return Dalibor Jevtic condemned the attack.
