Association of Journalists of Kosovo: CEC Decision unprecedented; Rejection of a political and ethnic nature

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) expressed deep concern over the decision of the Central Election Commission (CEC) not to accredit any Serbian-language media outlet to report on the 12 October local elections, stating that the decision is without precedent and that, judging from members’ discussions at the CEC session, the rejection appears to be political and ethnic in nature.

According to the AJK’s statement, the accreditation requests of dozens of Serbian-language media from Kosovo, submitted as observers, were rejected in their entirety during today’s CEC meeting.

“From the members’ discussions at the meeting, it appears that the rejection is political and ethnic in nature. The Association considers this decision unacceptable and contrary to Kosovo’s democratic values and to media freedom in the country. Serbian-language media in Kosovo are registered with the Business Registration Agency as companies, or with the MBP as non-governmental organizations,” the statement posted on Facebook reads.

It adds that citizens of Kosovo of Serbian nationality have a constitutional right to be informed about such an important process in their own language, an official language throughout Kosovo.

The Association encourages the media outlets that were rejected to file an appeal immediately with the ECAP (Election Complaints and Appeals Panel) and calls on that institution to address the matter urgently and annul the CEC decision.