Obstruction against journalist Shqipron Xhema, Pristina, 15.4.2025

• Case info

• Personal info

• Regional center

  Pristina
• Who was attacked?

  Journalist
• Gender

  Male
• Victim(s) name

  Shqipron Xhema

• Media outlet

• Name of the media outlet

  KALLXO.com
• Type of media platform

  Online Media
  

• Incident Data

• Date of incident

  15.04.2025
• City

  Prishtina
• Perpetrator(s)

  Known (convicted)
• Attacked by

  Public person(s)
  
• Means of incidents and attacks

  In person
  
• Type of incident

  Other threats to journalists
• Type of threat

  Other

• Action by the authorities

• Action taken by the journalists' association

• Was journalist's association informed by the journalists directly?

  Yes
• What was the reaction of the journalists' association?

  The association reacted publicly
  

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) has received with concern and strongly condemns the obstructive action of the Member of Parliament from the Turkish Democratic Party of Kosovo (KDTP), Fikrim Damka, against KALLXO.com journalist Shqipron Xhema, while he was carrying out his professional duties during today’s constitutive session of the Assembly of Kosovo.

According to reports, journalist Xhema, while attempting to obtain a statement from MP Damka regarding certain conversations that were published in the media, was subjected to an unacceptable physical action. The MP reportedly grabbed the journalist’s phone from his hand, directly interfering with his work and compromising his professional integrity.

AJK recalls that any physical or verbal interference with journalists in their workplace constitutes an attack on freedom of expression, and consequently, on democracy itself.
AJK calls on the relevant institutions to treat this incident with seriousness and to take the necessary measures to ensure the safety of journalists in exercising their profession, without pressure or intimidation.

Freedom of the press is one of the fundamental pillars of democracy, and any attempt to undermine it is unacceptable.