AKJ requests a code of conduct for media in elections
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
The Association of Kosovo Journalists (AKJ) requested a code of conduct for media in elections. Journalists demanded from politics to keep its hands away from the tendency to use the media, KTV reported.
A new code of conduct for media in elections would be the best way to regulate the way how media report about the electoral campaign of political entities in Kosovo. This was stated in a roundtable organized the Association of Kosovo Journalists (AKJ), attended by media representatives, as well as state prosecutor Laura Pula.
AKJ chairperson, Shkëlqim Hysenaj said that the trend of spreading false news in the region and the world has increased, emphasizing the necessity of undertaking measures in this regard.
“Having seen what is happening in the region and the world, in particular developments after the false news trend, we considered a necessity to discuss ways how to prevent this trend. We also want to discuss about ways of fair reporting of Kosovo media during the electoral campaign and on the Election Day,” said Hysenaj.
While, Agron Bajrami, editor-in-chief of Koha Ditore daily, considered that many media outlets are serving to political entities.
“This is unfortunate because all those (journalists) who will try to professionally do the work will be equally tainted as those serving to political interests,” said Bajrami.
On other hand, Prosecutor Laura Pula announced that over 100 prosecutors have been engaged to ensure the wellbeing of the election process.
Electoral campaign of political parties will officially be launched on 31 May and it will last ten days.
In the meantime, KTV portal published the recommendations that derived from this roundtable.
“With the aim to ensure fair reporting and respect of the professional standards and taking into account the importance of the media during the campaign and in the election processes, participants of the conference organized by the Association of Kosovo Journalists, on 29 May 2017, issued the following recommendations to Kosovo media:
– Media must report independently and professionally;
– Create equal space for all political entities – pre-electoral coalitions;
– Respect the Code of Ethic while reporting;
– To focus more in verifying the information received;
– To verify the information via multiple sources;
– Contact the persons they are writing about;
– Be cautious with the usage of content produced by third parties;
– Pay special attention to cases when suspicious information circulates in social networks;
– Try to confirm all the information received through social networks;
– Avoid information published in suspicious webpages;
– To avoid information published in webpages affiliated to political entities;
– To avoid information that might be published in fake social media profiles;
– To always confirm suspicious information with authorities;
– Avoid the publication or republication of false news;
– Avoid publishing polls or in case of such publication, it should provide all the information, such as who conducted it, who financed it, how many persons have been interviewed, methodology used during the poll;
– Media should put pressure for an equal debate between the candidates for Prime Ministers;
– Independent Media Commission should persists in disciplining political entities by coming forward with a clear decision that the equal airing time should be allocated to coalitions and not political entities.
Respecting the above principles will impact in a fair coverage of the campaign and 11 June elections and it will directly impact the increase of citizens’ trust to the media. Fair and professional reporting is achieved only by verifying the information and the full implementation of the Code of Ethics,” reads AKJ release, KTV portal reported.
CEC presented the design of ballot paper
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
On Monday, Kosovo Central Election Commission (CEC) presented the design of ballot paper for 11 June early elections. While, CEC members were not able to decide about the election list of SDA-BSDAK coalition. CEC earlier decided to remove the names of Albanians from this list, as this coalition is from the Bosniak community. However, Election Complaints and Appeals Commission annulled CEC’s decision.
CEC chairperson, Valdete Daka said that CEC will decide about this issue later.
During this meeting, CEC CEO, Enis Halimi, presented information about voters outside Kosovo.
“During the registration period, we have received 25.252 applications. 14.956 applications have been approved and 14 applications have been rejected because they were sent by persons under 18 years old,” emphasized Halimi.
Bugajski: New Government cannot stop the Special Court
(TV21)
The process of the Special Court will continue regardless of the composition of the new Government in Kosovo, said Janus Bugajski, a political analyst.
However, he emphasized that although the process will be prolonged, Special Court must be focused to ensure reliable evidences about individual war crimes. According to Bugajski, Special Court should not seek to discredit Kosovo Liberation Army or the war for liberation of Kosovo.
Prosecution interrogates PTK officials about the agreement with Z-Mobile
(KTV)
State Prosecution confirmed to have interrogated officials of Kosovo Telecomm about the agreement signed between PTK and Z- Mobile.
However, Prosecution did not tell if representatives of Z-Mobile were questioned as well. Prosecution, through a written response, did not revealed many details about this case.
KTV requested from Z-Mobile Company more details about the agreement reached with Kosovo Telecomm and about the amount that it will profit from the expenses in the Arbitration, but did not received any concrete answer. Kosovo Telecomm did not provide any response, too.
In the meantime, both parties agreed to allocate 100.000 new numbers including 3G and 4G services to virtual mobile operator Z-Mobile.
This agreement, which was considered as a win-win agreement by both sides, is considered by the economy expert, Naim gashi, as more harmful than the original agreement signed in 2009.
While, Arton Demhasaj of Çohu NGO says that the agreement between PTK and Z-Mobile was fabricated in order for certain people to profit out of it.
The dispute between Z-Mobile and Kosovo Telecom started as the agreement signed on 16 January 2009 was not implemented.
In 2015, Z-Mobile sued Kosovo Post Telecomm (PTK) at the Court of Arbitration, as, according to them, PTK violated the agreement and refused to allocate additional numbers and it did not provide 3G and 4G services.
On the other hand, Vetëvendosje Movement representatives considered this Agreement as criminal and pledged to investigate it, in case they win the early elections.
Meha pleads not guilty
(Most monitored broadcasters, TV21)
The chief of the Kosovo Cadastral Agency, Murat Meha, pleaded not guilty of abuse of official position or authority, TV21 reported.
Also the other two defendants, Ismet Kryeziu, Director of Legal Office of the Cadastral Agency, and Nemanja Spasic, Head of the Cadastral Office in Gracanica/Graçanicë, pleaded not guilty.
The case is related to the “Marigona Residence” neighbourhood, at the time when Meha was chief of the Kosovo Cadastral Agency. In this case, the damaged party “Marigona Residence” suffered a €5 million loss. This indictment was filed last year but it was not made public by the Prosecution.
Efficiency of prosecutors to be increased
(Klan Kosova)
Kosovo Prosecutorial Council (KPC) approved on Monday the request of the National Coordinator for Early Elections, Laura Pula to compensate prosecutors and supporting staff for their additional engagement during the Election Day on 11 June.
During this meeting, KPC members reviewed the report of the National Coordinator for combating economic crime covering the period January – March 2017.
Additionally, KPC members reviewed and adopted the Standard Operating Procedures aiming to increase the efficiency of prosecutors during cases of domestic violence.
