AGK: Kurti’s statements a serious and unacceptable attempt by the Government to influence media work

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AGK) described Albin Kurti’s statements regarding the Reporters Without Borders report as “regrettable,” stating that Kurti failed to address the findings of the report.

The Association stated that Kurti’s remark about offering “training and courses from the Government for journalists and media” is a serious and unacceptable attempt by the government to influence their work and an effort to question the professionalism of the Kosovo media.

“The Prime Minister in a technical mandate, Kurti, did not mention the adoption of the unconstitutional law on the Independent Media Commission, the political influence of his party on the public broadcaster RTK, nor the ongoing campaign of incitement and hate speech against journalists and media outlets, led by officials of his party,” the statement said.

The Association concluded by calling on Kurti to engage in open dialogue with all stakeholders, to take the findings of the Report seriously, and to work on improving media freedom in Kosovo.

Kurti expressed regret over the fact that Kosovo dropped 24 places in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index but blamed the media themselves for this decline.

“Media in Kosovo are free. Their decline is not a result of government control but of media ownership influence and a lack of professionalism,” Kurti said.