At the Electoral Congress of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), held on June 2–3, 2025, in Budapest, a representative from the Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) was elected to the EFJ Steering Committee for the first time in the organization’s history. Xhemajl Rexha, Chair of the AJK Board, was elected to this key leadership role—marking a historic milestone for the representation of Kosovar journalists at the European level.
This was also the first time the EFJ held a statutory meeting in Hungary, gathering over 120 journalists and union representatives from 38 European countries. During the congress, seven out of eleven candidates were elected to the Steering Committee for a three-year term. Maja Server was elected President of the EFJ, and Pablo Auiqel Garbarini (SNJ-CGT, France) was elected Vice President. Additionally, Maja Server was elected as President, and Pablo Auiqel Garbarini (SNJ-CGT, France) as the new Vice President of EFJ. Alongside Rexha, the other newly elected Steering Committee members are: Andrea Roth (DJV, Germany), Allan Boye Thulstrup (DJ, Denmark), Renske Heddema (NJV, Netherlands), Antonis Repanas (ESIEMTH, Greece), Aise Banu Tuna (TGS, Turkey), and Sergiy Tomilenko (NUJU, Ukraine).
About the Steering Committee
The EFJ Steering Committee is the organization’s highest executive body, representing approximately 300,000 journalists across Europe. It oversees the implementation of EFJ’s strategic goals, approves budgets, monitors policy execution, and defends the interests of member organizations. Committee members play a key role in guiding the federation’s work, ensuring accountability, efficiency, and transparency.
A Major Step for Journalism in Kosovo
Xhemajl Rexha’s election is a significant acknowledgment of the AJK’s work in defending journalists’ rights and advancing press freedom in Kosovo. This development not only strengthens the voice of Kosovar and regional journalists within Europe but also opens new avenues for collaboration in support of professional and ethical standards in journalism.
