The Democratic League of Kosovo has reacted to the stance of the Association of Journalists of Kosovo, expressing concern about the way this organization has handled criticisms raised against the media.
In its response to the media, LDK emphasizes that media freedom and freedom of expression are fundamental values in a democratic society and that they must coexist with public debate and criticism.
"Freedom of the media is sacred. But the freedom to criticize the media is equally sacred," the party's response states.
According to LDK, it is concerning that the AGK, instead of seriously addressing concerns raised about professional standards and public responsibility in the media, has chosen to use political labels.
"It is unexpected that a professional organization like AGK would use language and references that pertain to political debate, including electoral percentages. AGK is not a political entity and it is not up to it to make such assessments," the reaction states.
LDK emphasizes that its criticism is not directed at the media as institutions nor at professional journalists, but at phenomena that, according to it, damage professional standards and public trust.
"Our reaction was, is and will remain to harmful phenomena within the media that deviate from professional standards and damage public trust by encouraging defamation," the response further states.
Finally, LDK reiterates its commitment to protecting media freedom and freedom of expression, demanding that professional organizations also act with the same standard of responsibility and impartiality in public debate.
Otherwise, the Association of Kosovo Journalists (AGK) has strongly condemned the repeated accusatory language of the LDK leader, Lumir Abdixhiku, against the media and journalists in Kosovo.
In a television interview last night, Abdixhiku spoke again about "media mercenaries", saying that "they very easily spread slander, irresponsibility, just because their bank account grows there from sponsors and various opponents". /Telegraph/
