European Commission: Media freedom is a fundamental element of democratic societies

Commenting on the Kosovo Assembly's decision to deny the Kosovo Online team the opportunity to cover its constitutive session, the European Commission stated that it does not comment on individual cases, but reiterated that freedom of expression and media freedom are fundamental elements of democratic societies and fundamental rights.

"We do not comment on individual cases, as it is for the Kosovo Assembly to address this issue," a European Commission spokesperson said in response to Kosovo Online's question on how the Commission viewed the fact that journalists from the portal had not been allowed to report from the constitutive session of the Kosovo Assembly, despite all the required accreditation documentation having been submitted in full and on time.

"Generally speaking, we reiterate that freedom of expression and media freedom are fundamental elements of democratic societies and fundamental rights, as provided for by the EU acquis and international standards," the response added.

The Commission recalled that every year, in its enlargement reports, it assesses the compliance of countries in the enlargement process with these fundamental standards and rules.

"Public authorities and political actors have a particular responsibility to promote a safe and enabling environment for journalists and media professionals and to contribute to respectful public discourse," the European Commission spokesperson concluded.

As a reminder, the Kosovo Assembly denied certain Serbian-language media outlets the opportunity to cover its constitutive session, despite their having submitted all required accreditation documentation properly and on time.

Kosovo Online and RTS were among the media outlets whose journalists were not allowed to enter the Assembly building.