CEC Member from Self-Determination: Serbian media known for propaganda and defamation

Source: Kosovo Online

At today’s session of the Central Election Commission (CEC), which refused to grant accreditation to Serbian media for covering the upcoming local elections, CEC member from the Self-Determination movement, Alban Krasniqi, requested that accreditation not be issued, stating that such media outlets are known for propaganda and defamation.

“I divided international media into those coming from the international scene, from neighboring countries, and, in this case, from Serbia — which are known for propaganda, defamation, and conducting a special war against Kosovo. Media that raise suspicion, such as some domestic ones, and especially those coming from Serbia, must operate on a legal basis, under which we have the right to grant or deny authorization,” Krasniqi said, as reported by Kosova Press.

CEC member from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Arijanit Elshani, stated that Serbian media must be verified.

“We have media that can be instrumentalized by another country, operating within Kosovo. On the other hand, there are also international observers based in Belgrade, and they must be recalled and fully verified by the office,” Elshani said.

CEC member Ilir Gashi requested that the list of all international media be sent back to the Independent Media Commission and the Ministry of Internal Affairs so that they could determine whether any media outlet or individual within them might violate public order.

“I agree that local media are registered and that the Independent Media Commission oversees them. The list of all international media should be returned to the Commission and the Ministry of Internal Affairs so they can assess whether there is any outlet or individual who could violate public order or even the general interest,” Gashi said.

At today’s session, the CEC accredited the first group of media for coverage of the local elections — 29 Kosovar and 13 international outlets, with a total of 573 representatives — but none that report in the Serbian language.

Those denied accreditation include Kosovo Online, RTV Puls, TV Most, Kontakt Kosovska Mitrovica, Plus Radio, Prva TV, Radio Kim, Radio Television of Serbia, Tanjug, Gracanica Online, TV Gracanica, Mondo/Kurir TV, Insajder, Ninamedija, RTV Vojvodina, Radio KM, Alternativna, TV Herc, Video Plus, Nova.rs, Media Center Caglavica, and Danas.