Serb media in Kosovo reported that the Association of Journalists of Serbia (UNS) together with its branch registered in Kosovo, yesterday strongly protested over the decision of the Kosovo Chief Prosecutor Office to exclude and disable participation of Serbian media representatives at the roundtable on criminal acts against journalists.

Meanwhile, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo confirmed that representatives of the Association of Journalists of Serbia were not present, adding that the OSCE was not the organizer but only supported the round table. It was the OSCE, after seeing there are no Serbian journalists, that advised the prosecutor’s office to invite the Association of Journalists of Serbia, stated OSCE Mission in Kosovo Spokesperson Senad Šabovic.

Invitations to the Chairperson of the Association of Journalist of Serbia branch in Kosovo, Budimir Nicic, and a small number of media representatives were delivered 17 hours prior to the event, but after the deadline to register for participation. The invitations were delivered electronically, the day before the meeting around 19.30, clearly stating that registration can take place until 16.00 hrs of the same day. UNS branch in Kosovo noted their exclusion represents “a flagrant discrimination by the Kosovo Chief Prosecutor Office, with the support of the OSCE. “

Senad Sabovic confirmed that Serbian journalists were not invited, saying that the OSCE did not organize the meeting. He also noted it is unfair to exclude the Association of Journalists of Serbia branch registered in Kosovo, and there are no valid reasons to exclude an association that is active and registered in Kosovo.