On the day a report on media freedom was published, Kurti’s security shoved a journalist

On the very day a report was released highlighting a drastic decline in media freedom in Kosovo, the security team of acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti obstructed journalists in their work. According to Reporteri, a journalist from the T7 portal was targeted when one of Kurti’s bodyguards twice pushed his hand away as he attempted to ask a question.

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AGK) strongly condemned the obstruction of the journalist’s work.

“This is not the first time Kurti’s security has violently obstructed journalists. AGK calls on the Kosovo Police and the acting Prime Minister to ensure normal working conditions for journalists seeking answers in public settings from high-ranking officials,” the AGK said in a statement, also publishing a video of the moment when the journalist was prevented from doing his job.

The video, published by Ekonomia Online, shows a member of the outgoing Prime Minister’s and Self-Determination leader’s security team aggressively pushing T7 journalist Genc Godanci twice, as he pointed a microphone toward Kurti to ask questions—specifically about the report that reveals a significant decline in media freedom in Kosovo.

While Kurti walked in silence, the bodyguard forcibly shoved the journalist’s hand away on two occasions.

Kosovo recorded the largest drop in the last 15 years in the annual World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, ranking 99th out of 180 countries.

This marks the second consecutive year Kosovo has declined in the rankings, having fallen from 56th place in 2023 to 75th in 2024.

In the report published by Reporters Without Borders on May 2, ahead of World Press Freedom Day, Kosovo was ranked the lowest among countries in the Western Balkans and the European Union.