The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) has unanimously adopted, at its Annual Meeting in Ankara, a motion supporting media outlets in Kosovo that have been subjected to disproportionate fines imposed by the Independent Media Commission (IMC).
In the text of the motion, the EFJ states that these sanctions constitute an attempt to restrict freedom of expression and public debate in Kosovo and have followed requests and complaints submitted by members of the ruling Vetëvendosje party.
The Annual Meeting mandated the EFJ Steering Committee to call on Vetëvendosje to cease its attacks on journalists and media outlets, and to formally address the IMC, urging it not to exceed its legal mandate.
EFJ President Maja Sever stated that media outlets and journalists in Kosovo have the full support of the European journalism community in continuing their important work in the public interest.
Full text of the motion:
On the Fines Imposed by Kosovo’s Media Regulator (IMC) on Television Broadcasters
Proposed by the Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK)
The Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Journalists, held in Ankara, Türkiye, on 18–19 June 2026, expresses concern over the unprecedented pressure exerted over the past two months on Kosovo’s leading television broadcasters by the country’s media regulator, the Independent Media Commission (IMC).
During six IMC Board meetings, more than €60,000 in fines were imposed on several media outlets. These sanctions primarily relate to alleged violations of the Code of Ethics during election campaigns for the general elections held in February 2025, December 2025, and June 2026.
We note that these fines were imposed following complaints by politicians from the ruling party regarding discussions of their work during television debates conducted by political analysts and representatives of other political parties. Even more concerning is the fact that one IMC Board member publicly called for the complete suspension of one of the country’s most-watched television debate programmes.
We view these sanctions as a direct threat to freedom of expression and media freedom in Kosovo, aimed at weakening public debate and limiting the media’s ability to hold the Government accountable. They represent an attempt to intimidate journalists and may lead to self-censorship. The financial penalties will also place an additional burden on television broadcasters that are already facing financial difficulties.
We are furthermore deeply concerned that some of the targeted media outlets broadcast in the languages of non-majority communities, and that one of them has been threatened with the revocation of its licence. The IMC’s decisions also constitute direct interference in editorial independence and risk undermining the media pluralism for which Kosovo is known.
The EFJ Annual Meeting also notes the findings of a report published by the Kosovo Law Institute (KLI), which raises concerns that some IMC decisions were adopted beyond the legal deadlines prescribed for decision-making, thereby calling their legality into question.
Therefore, the EFJ Annual Meeting instructs its Steering Committee to undertake the following actions:
• Call on the ruling political party, the Vetëvendosje Movement, to refrain from public smear campaigns and denigrating rhetoric against journalists and media actors in Kosovo;
• Send a formal letter to the Independent Media Commission requesting that it respect the Law on the IMC and refrain from exceeding its powers and responsibilities when reviewing complaints;
• Call on the Media Committee of the Assembly of Kosovo to urgently meet with members of the Independent Media Commission to ensure that its decisions do not undermine the work of media outlets or media freedom.