The Association of Journalists of Kosovo - AGK, has expressed concern regarding the main findings of the US State Department Report on Kosovo.
The report published this week states that despite the fact that freedom of expression was generally respected, there were still attempts to intimidate media representatives by politicians, public figures, businesses and religious groups.
"AGK assesses that the findings of the report should be an alarm for the country's institutions that should engage in creating a better and safer environment for journalism. AGK also invites media owners to allow journalists to report without being censored for fear of losing their jobs", says AGK's response.
The report shows that funding problems also damaged the independence of the media, as well as difficulties in obtaining information from the Government and public institutions.
"Journalists encountered difficulties in obtaining information from the Government and public institutions, regardless of the laws providing access to public documents", the report states.
According to the report, independent media were active and expressed a variety of views, generally without restrictions. However, some government officials, political parties, government-linked businesses, religious groups and disgruntled individuals pressured media owners, editors and journalists not to publish certain stories or material.
The US Department of State cites the reports of the Association of Journalists of Kosovo, about the physical attack on Visar Duriq, the interview by the Prosecutor's Office of Parim Olluri for reporting on vaccines, as well as the threat of Vetëvendosje MP Haki Abazi to the "Albanian Post" portal, as three of the most serious incidents in 2021. /Telegrafi/
