The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) is deeply concerned by and strongly condemns an article published by the Serbian tabloid Informer, which targets the Executive Director of the Association of Journalists of Kosovo, Getoarbë Mulliqi, and journalist and university professor Dinko Gruhonjić.
In the article titled “Dinko and the ‘Shiptar’ journalist support the blockers and attack Serbia: Good that they say Serbia is guilty of the wars in Yugoslavia,” the tabloid attacks the authors of an analysis examining reporting on the past in four Western Balkan countries – Kosovo, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia. The analysis, “Media Reporting on Dealing with the Past in the Western Balkans,” was produced as part of a project of the regional office of the German non-governmental organization ProPeace (formerly ForumZFD).
The article targets Gruhonjić and Mulliqi and refers to AJK’s Executive Director using a derogatory ethnic term, thereby fuelling interethnic hatred in the region.
AJK considers this article scandalous and inflammatory, directed against the professional work of the report’s researchers, while also putting their personal safety at risk.
Furthermore, a statement targeting Mulliqi was also issued by Serbia’s Ministry of Information.
AJK views this rhetoric as irresponsible and unacceptable and calls on media outlets and political actors in Serbia to refrain from attacking professionals on personal and ethnic grounds.
AJK also calls on international actors in both countries to condemn this campaign.
AJK stands in full solidarity with Mulliqi and Gruhonjić.