AJK's Double Standards Jeopardise Press Freedom
AJK's double standards and misinformation jeopardise press freedom. Ignoring evidence against Klan Kosova's Serbian registration and funding undermines credibility & threatens journalistic principle.
The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) has come under scrutiny for its glaring double standards and its questionable accusations against the Republic of Kosovo regarding the violation of press freedom.
Astonishingly, AJK conveniently ignores the well-documented allegations against Broadcaster KLAN Kosova, including its registration in Serbia and funding from Serbian sources. Such omissions cannot be taken lightly, especially considering Serbia's persistent attempts at military incursions and territorial aggression in Kosovo's northern bank.
It is deeply disheartening to witness AJK spreading misinformation and intentionally misleading the public. Furthermore, AJK's actions have garnered criticism from the European Federation of Journalists, who branded Prime Minister Albin Kurti as "shameless."
As a fellow journalist who strongly advocates for press freedom, it is absurd to expect any government to allow a broadcaster to operate under the ownership of an adversarial country, particularly when Kosovo faces a severe crisis of political and territorial aggression from Serbia. In such circumstances, it is the government's prerogative to decide whether shutting down such a broadcaster is necessary to safeguard national security.
To illustrate the disparity, let us consider the response of the British government to the Russian Federation's military aggression against Ukraine. The British government not only revoked the licenses of Russian media outlets but also shut them down entirely. In contrast, Klan Kosova, whose director, Adriatik Kelmendi, resigned without offering a proper public explanation as mandated following the revelations of an investigation exposing damning evidence of Serbian funding and registration, the broadcaster continues to operate without interruption. The suspension of their business license appears merely as an administrative measure.
I write this out of sheer frustration with AJK's deliberate dissemination of misinformation, which aims to mislead the public and generate international condemnation of Kosovo, all in an effort to discredit the government.
Such intentional misinformation is a deplorable disgrace.
AJK must be reminded of its responsibility as a journalistic association and the importance of prioritizing truth over political agendas. AJK's actions not only undermine the credibility of journalism but also threaten the fundamental principle of press freedom. Such behaviour erodes public trust in the media and hinders the efforts of genuine journalists committed to reporting truthfully and impartially.
It is high time for AJK to reevaluate its priorities and advocate for transparency, responsible journalism, and an unwavering commitment to the principles of the profession. Press freedom should never be weaponized to serve hidden motives but should be cherished and protected as a cornerstone of any democratic society.