The Human Rights Watch published on Wednesday a report which notes that journalists across the Western Balkans face a hostile environment that impedes their ability to do critical reporting.
“In Kosovo, the Association of Journalists of Kosovo registered 14 cases of violence and threats against journalists in 2015, and eight cases in the first half of 2016,” notes the report.
In March 2016, Vehbi Kajtazi, a journalist, said in a Facebook post that he had received a phone call from Prime Minister Isa Mustafa threatening that the journalist would “pay heavily” for a story about Mustafa’s brother travelling abroad for medical treatment. Kajtazi said he had evidence that the calls came from the prime minister’s number. Mustafa denied making any threats. Kajtazi reported the incident to the police.
On August 22, a hand grenade exploded in the courtyard of the headquarters of public broadcaster Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) with no casualties. Then on August 28, an explosive device was thrown into the backyard of Mentor Shala, the station’s general director. Shala was at home with his family, but no-one was injured, according to media reports. Police said the explosion was most likely a hand grenade and opened an investigation.
A radical group, Rugovasit, claimed responsibility, saying that the attack was “a warning.” If Shala did not resign, a statement said, “his life is in danger.” The group complained about RTK’s coverage of a demarcation dispute between Kosovo and Montenegro, a high-profile political issue in both countries. The government said that the attacks were “a criminal act directed against media freedom in Kosovo.”
In October, Leonard Kerquki, editor-in-chief of Gazeta Express, a daily newspaper, received death threats via social media following the broadcast of his documentary on war crimes committed by the Kosovo Liberation Army. The case is under investigation,” is written in the report.
