Cases

Continuing the four years of governance, the political party Vetëvendosje and its leader, Prime Minister Albin Kurti, have intensified unacceptable attacks on the media and journalists throughout the entire election campaign month for the national elections of February 9.

In an interview with a local television, Prime Minister Kurti stated that "the portals are part of the Bermuda Triangle that want to sink Kosovo." Almost in all election rallies in different cities, Kurti has used derogatory and aggressive language against the media, journalists, and commentators of television debates.

Journalist teams, including those from Klan Kosova and Nacionale, have been obstructed by Vetëvendosje officials at several election rallies in an attempt to prevent reporting from the field.

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AGK) considers such attacks to be unacceptable pressure on the media to do their work during an important phase like the election campaign. The inciting language from the ruling party significantly hampers the ability to report. Vetëvendosje's boycott of three national television channels also affects the provision of transparency and is an evasion of accountability to an important part of the public.

The media have a legal and public duty to provide their viewers/readers with the promises and programs of all political parties equally during election periods.

Reporter Details
Case description	The political party Vetëvendosje and Prime Minister Albin Kurti have intensified attacks on the media and journalists during the election campaign for the February 9th elections. Prime Minister Kurti used derogatory and offensive language towards the media, referring to portals as part of the "Bermuda Triangle" that aims to sink Kosovo. Additionally, journalists have been obstructed at several election rallies by Vetëvendosje officials to prevent reporting. The attacks and inciting language from the ruling party have created unacceptable pressure on the media, making reporting more difficult and hindering transparency and accountability.
State	Kosovo
Name and Surname
Gender	Group
Date	7.2.2025
City	Prishtinë
Type of Incident	Attacks on media outlets and organizations
From who	Aggressive public declarations by state officials
The Offender / Suspect	Albin Kurti
Type of media	Radio and Television
Media Name
Source	Intervistë televizive
Public Prosecutor
Judiciary
Judiciary Status
Legal Closure
Has the Journalist Association been notified?	Yes
Has the incident been reported to the authorities?
Has the incident been reported to the XXX?
Associations Respond	AJK has publicly reacted to the attacks on the media and journalists during the election campaign, emphasizing that these actions constitute unacceptable pressure on press freedom. AJK has called on political parties and their leaders to respect the media and ensure a safe and free environment for reporting, allowing journalists to carry out their duties without fear or obstruction.