Media outlets in Serbian from Kosovo and central Serbia that were denied accreditation also addressed a letter to the Kosovo Ombudsperson, saying that the decision severely violates both the journalists’ right to work and the right of the Serbian community to timely and accurate information in their own language.
“This act constitutes a grave violation of human rights, discrimination on linguistic and ethnic grounds, and is contrary to the Constitution of Kosovo, which guarantees equality and prohibits discrimination, as well as to the Law on Freedom of the Media, the Law on the Use of Languages, and international standards of freedom of expression and access to information, including the European Convention on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” the joint letter states.
It was signed by Radio Kim, Radio KM, Gračanica Online, Kontakt Plus, Kosovo Online, Alternativna, Danas, Kurir TV, Nova, Prva TV, RTS, RTV Puls, TV Gračanica, and TV Most.
CEC rejects accreditations for Serbian, some Albanian, and regional media
As previously reported, the CEC decided on Thursday not to accredit nearly all Serbian-language media, including several outlets from central Serbia, as well as a few Albanian and regional newsrooms. Among those denied are: Radio Television of Serbia (RTS), Tanjug, Radio Kim, TV Most, Kontakt Plus, RTV Puls, Plus Radio, GracanicaOnline, TV Gračanica, and Radio Mitrovica Sever (Radio KM).
The CEC has not publicly explained the reasons for its decision but said that it accredited 42 media outlets in total — 29 domestic and 13 international — and revoked accreditation for two observer organizations.
Wave of reactions
The decision has sparked a wave of reactions both domestically and internationally.
The Kosovo Press Council (KPC) expressed concern, calling the move “unacceptable and harmful to media freedom and fair, transparent information.” They reminded that several KPC member outlets had fulfilled all the requirements, confirmed by the CEC office itself.
“We call on the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP) to make a substantive decision ensuring equal treatment for all media,” the KPC stated.
The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) described the decision as “unprecedented,” claiming it carries “clear political and ethnic overtones.” “This decision is unacceptable and contrary to Kosovo’s democratic values and media freedom,” AJK said, urging media to appeal to ECAP.
The Association of Journalists of Serbia (UNS) and its Kosovo branch (DNKiM) called the move a “discriminatory act” and requested an urgent response from EFJ, IFJ, and international diplomats.
Maja Fićović, editor-in-chief of Radio Mitrovica Sever, described the situation as “a scandal of scandals,” stressing that this is the first time in 26 years that Serbian media have been denied access to report from elections.
Radio Kim also reminded that this is the first time since 2000 that they were denied accreditation, despite having been accredited for the parliamentary elections held in February this year.
Ana Marković, correspondent for Serbia’s Prva TV, said: “This is pure discrimination against media reporting in Serbian. Without any explanation, we were denied the right to enter polling stations and observe the vote count after the polls close.”
The OSCE Mission in Kosovo also voiced strong concern:
“Free, fair, and transparent elections depend on open and equal access for all media to observe, report, and inform the public about electoral developments. Restricting media accreditation on the basis of perceived community, language or editorial affiliation limits the ability of journalists to perform their professional duties,” the mission said.
The OSCE warned that such measures undermine public trust in the electoral process and create grounds for allegations of discrimination, emphasizing that “access to information in community languages represents a fundamental aspect of Kosovo’s multiethnic and democratic framework.”
CEC Denies Accreditation to Most Serbian-Language Media Ahead of Kosovo Local Elections
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
