PRISTINA, 29.01.2018 – The Association of Journalists of Kosovo analysed thoroughly the concept document of internal ministry related to prevention and fight against cyber crimes.
The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) considers that this form of media coverage within the Cybercrime Law is wrong because cybercrime and fake news have nothing in common. Any attempt to criminalize defamation is considered an attempt to limit freedom of information.
Moreover, this initiative was made without notice or public consultation, although the online discussion platform was opened on December 22, 2017 through January 18, 2018 in the framework of the cyber crime law – and as a result many media stakeholders were not aware of this proposal.
AJK understands that this phenomenon is a concern but it wants to inform the sponsors and the relevant institutions that media freedom, although very fragile, cannot be regulated without a full discussion and inclusion of all relevant parties.
Any involvement of fake news, libel or any journalistic phenomenon in this law is likely to cause us some backward steps.
AJK urges that this initiative be stopped and reopen the discussion and expanded with all relevant stakeholders, including AJK and civil society.