Syri.net’s car is vandalized in Leposaviq Some Serbian protesters in Leposaviq punctured the tires of the Syri.net team’s car.

The situation, which is escalating moment by moment, is endangering the media workers who are reporting from the north.

This is the fourth attack during the day, in the direction of the media teams, who are reporting on the situation in the north of the country.

AJK expresses concern about the working conditions of journalists who are reporting from that area. At the same time, it calls on journalists, camera operators, photojournalists, and team drivers to show increased precaution during reporting.

Journalist teams reporting from the Municipality of Zveçan have been attacked by local protesters while attempting to film the moment of an attack on a Kosovo Police vehicle.

In a video sent to AJK, protesters can be seen ordering not to be filmed, then approaching from behind and physically assaulting the journalist from RTV 21, Burim Zariqi, who is also a board member of AJK.

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo is concerned about the images provided in this video and calls on colleagues present in these municipalities to exercise extra precaution during reporting. AJK simultaneously urges competent authorities to take measures to ensure the safety of journalists in these municipalities.

Another attack has occurred today against the vehicle of the kallxo.com team in Zveçan.

In the photos published by the media, it can be seen that local protesters broke the vehicle’s windows, fortunately without causing any injuries.

This marks the 17th attack against media outlets reporting from the northern municipalities of the Republic of Kosovo since Monday.

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo calls on fellow journalists, camera operators, and photojournalists to exercise extra precaution during reporting and in no way jeopardize their safety for the sake of reporting.

Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) condemns the chase on N1 television, which has been intensified by the authorities in recent weeks, and culminated last night in the intrusion of about thirty people with sound systems and banners into the yard of the office building where the newsroom of this television is located. Also, we express serious concern about the absence of an official reaction from state authorities.

Those gathered in front of N1 introduced themselves as the “People’s Headquarters” and held speeches for several hours and disrupted the work of employees. They stated that N1 would face the wrath of the people, and asked it to tell the truth, and invited the journalists to go outside.

The editor in chief of television N1 immediately reported to the police the unauthorized entry to private property and disruption of work, but the police did not react, and as stated by N1, there were several plainclothes policemen in front of their building, who said that they had no order to identify the gathered people, nor to remove them from private property.

We are concerned about the absence of an adequate reaction by the police and the prosecutor’s office in this particular case, because we are sure that in addition to the presence of plainclothes policemen, there was space for a more serious reaction and protection of journalists from interference in their work. Television N1 is under a huge attack, both from representatives of the authorities and extreme right-wing groups, which can be related to the relativization of the huge dissatisfaction of citizens with the work of the public media service and television with national coverage and diminishing the importance of mass gatherings “Serbia against violence”. Television N1 and its journalists are declared to be the cause of tragic events, newsrooms and journalists are regularly threatened, and events such as this gathering, if allowed, only increase the tension and level of threats to journalists.

IJAS demands from the police and the prosecutor’s office to raise the level of protection of journalists and newsrooms, and to recognize potentially dangerous situations like yesterday’s, because adequate security solutions must be urgently found for such threats. We also expect the authorities to carry out an appropriate assessment of the safety of journalists N1, because they have been targeted and unjustly accused for years, especially by representatives of the authorities. In recent days, the attacks and pressures have intensified, as evidenced by the performances of the MPs of the ruling coalition in the Serbian Parliament, who practically initiated a survey on social networks in which users ask whether the N1 should be set on fire, demolished or banned.

IJAS provides full support to N1 television in its professional and responsible work in the interest of the public, and makes every effort to ensure the employees of that media house and all other media workers safe work in the newsroom and outside it.

IJAS, May 31, 2023

During their reporting in Zveçan the RTV Dukagjini team’s vehicle has been damaged. Fortunately, there are no reported injuries, but this is the second vehicle of this media outlet that has been vandalized by local protesters.

In the ongoing events in the northern municipalities of Kosovo, this is the 16th attack on the media within two days.

Association of Journalists of Kosovo expresses deep concern and specifically requests the international presence to create a safer environment for journalists, camera operators, photojournalists, and drivers who are on duty and reporting from the northern part of the country.

An explosive device was thrown towards the vehicle (taxi) in which the team of Radio Free Europe was traveling, by a group of local Serbs protesters.

According to the team, they did not see the explosive device being thrown at them, but there was a loud noise. Fortunately, none of the team members were injured.

In the ongoing incidents in the northern municipalities of the country, over 15 attacks against journalists have occurred in the past two days.

The RTV21 team, consisting of journalist Lirie Dibrani and camera operator Berat Bahtiri, has been physically assaulted by Serbs while reporting in Car Lazar Square.

The media outlet has informed the Association of Journalists of Kosovo – AJK, that in addition to the physical attack on the cameraman, his equipment used for filming was also taken.

The team has reported the assault to the Kosovo Police and is currently giving a statement regarding the incident.

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo is deeply concerned about the images of the camera operator being attacked, and we urge the competent security authorities to address the case as soon as possible and hold the responsible individuals accountable. Furthermore, the AJK calls on the Kosovo Police to ensure the safety of journalists so that they can report without being endangered or obstructed.