Offensive language and threats towards the journalists of Gazeta Express, Pristina, 17.05.2021

Translations: Pristina 

• Case info

• Personal info

• Regional center

  Pristina
• Who was attacked?

  Group
• Group members' names and surnames

  Gazeta Express

• Media outlet

• Name of the media outlet

  Gazeta Express
• Type of media platform

  Online Media
  
• Source of information about the incident

  Gazeta Express

• Incident Data

• Date of incident

  17.05.2021
• City

  Pristina
• Perpetrator(s)

  Known (suspected)
• Attacked by

  Authorities - individuals
  
• Type of incident

  life_threat

• Action by the authorities

• Action taken by the journalists' association

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

  Yes

The official of the Directorate of Education in the Municipality of Prishtina, Anita Xhabiri has offended a journalist of the Gazeta Express after she requested about the stance of the Directorate of Education, upon reporting that a minor has been sexually abused from the several students. Following the publication of the news about the insult, it is reported that Editorial Office of the Gazeta Express on Saturday has received a threatening phone call from Xhabiri’s husband. He demanded that the news about his wife should be removed, where he threatened that if such a thing will not happen, the journalists will personally deal with him. “You must delete the news, I am going to the Police, but if you do not remove the news, in addition to the Police, you will personally deal with me. You have problems with my family, behavior or whatever you write, and eat sh * t, you will be in trouble. When you call my wife, you will have to deal with me. I do not care for what you are calling my wife, you are calling my wife, for official information, go to hell. This news that you have published, you will deal personally with me, not officially. You are going to remove it, I am going to the Police and then coming to you and we will solve the case immediately, did you understand?” Following the reporting of the case to the Police, journalist of Gazeta Express was interviewed in the capacity of a victim. Meanwhile, the suspected person was arrested and after an interview upon the prosecutor’s order was released in the regular procedure.

For AJK, It is worrying the fact that journalists are still victims of such insults and threats from public officials. Such denigrating language from the municipal official and the threat made to journalists by her husband is completely unacceptable and violates freedom of expression and of media.

AJK invites public officials to recognize the role of journalists in a democratic society and to distance themselves from insults and threats against them. Whereas, for any injustice that they consider that is being conducted towards them, to address to the competent authorities.