Following the arrest and unlawful detention of cameraman Jetmir Muji, the Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) condemns the unacceptable attack by President Vjosa Osmani against journalists and the media.
In a lengthy Facebook post, the President claimed she was responding “to the ongoing, unlawful, and dangerous harassment that certain media direct at my minor daughters.”
AJK stresses that President Osmani’s daughters are public figures. Reporting on their schooling, whether in public or private schools, is in the public interest and does not constitute harassment. What is unacceptable and dangerous is the language and attacks used by the President against journalists and media outlets.
We are particularly concerned about the following paragraph in the President’s statement:
“Never have some so-called journalists (for some of whom you would be shocked at the unlawful activities they are involved in, according to our security institutions) ever written that the President sends her children to a public school in Kosovo, despite the significant challenges this school faces.”
This represents an open public threat to journalists from the head of state, with unrestricted access to security reports. Such statements should serve as a warning about the legal safety of every citizen in Kosovo.
At a time when journalists and media are repeatedly under attack by the Government, the President of Kosovo should guarantee and protect media freedom, a duty enshrined in the Constitution.
AJK calls on President Osmani to abandon the undemocratic practice of attacking the media and to exercise her office responsibly.