Kosovo has recorded an improvement in the annual media freedom index of Reporters Without Borders, following an alarming decline a year earlier. According to the report published on Thursday, Kosovo ranks 84th in the world with 55.89 points, three more than last year.
“The ineffective media regulator, the Independent Media Commission (IMC), was subject to a legislative reform, which was declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court,” the report states. It also recognizes the work of the judiciary in treating cases involving journalists as a priority, while drawing attention to the fact that many journalists are subject to SLAPP lawsuits from business groups and politicians.
The annual report highlights that journalists continue to do their work despite political attacks.
“Although journalists successfully work to hold politicians accountable, they continue to be targets of political attacks. Although journalists enjoy the trust of the public, independent media and investigative journalists are very often targets of insults and fake news on social media. They are unjustly accused of ‘working for the enemy,’ a rhetoric used by political and religious groups.”
The report also mentions a boycott in 2025 by the government against several media outlets and its political influence on RTK.
“Ahead of the elections at the beginning of 2025, several private media outlets were targeted by a government boycott, which also threatened the independence of the public broadcaster, RTK,” the report says.
“Although the media market in Kosovo is diverse, its development is limited due to its small size and ethnic divisions. Media freedom is threatened by political regulation, SLAPP lawsuits, insufficient access to information, and risks to the safety of journalists,” the report concludes.