AJK Welcomes Ruling in Favor of Journalist Blerta Foniqi After Unlawful Demotion at RTK
The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) welcomes the decision of the Labour Inspectorate, which upheld the complaint filed by journalist Blerta Foniqi Kabashi and ruled in her favor against the management of Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK).
The Labour Inspectorate found that the decision to demote Foniqi Kabashi from her position as Editor of the Central News Edition to a program editor was unlawful. The decision had been taken by the Acting Editor-in-Chief, Blerim Haxhija, who, according to the Inspectorate, no longer had the mandate to issue such a decision, as his term had expired on 15 September 2025.
Foniqi Kabashi had also been issued a disciplinary measure in the form of a “warning” related to her work as editor of the Central News Edition. The Labour Inspectorate ordered RTK to reinstate her to her contractually defined position within three days.
AJK considers this ruling an important confirmation of the pressure exerted by RTK’s management on journalists and editors who carry out their work independently and professionally.
AJK reiterates that continued political interference by the Government of Kosovo through the political party Vetëvendosje in the editorial independence of the public broadcaster RTK is unacceptable and poses a serious threat to media freedom.
