German Embassy: Media freedom report, an indicator of the steps the new government should take

The German Embassy in Kosovo has said that the Reporters Without Borders report, where Kosovo ranks 99th for press freedom, is an indicator for the new government of the steps that need to be taken to have press freedom.

“Kosovo has fallen 24 places in the new Reporters Without Borders index, putting it at the bottom of the region – even behind Serbia. This report is an indicator for the new government, which clearly outlines the steps needed to have press freedom, which is essential for any vibrant and sustainable democracy,” the reaction says.

This is the second consecutive year that Kosovo has recorded a decline in this index, falling from 2024th place to 56th place in 75. In the index, Kosovo ranks worst compared to the Western Balkan countries. Albania ranks 80th, Montenegro 37th, North Macedonia 42nd, Bosnia and Herzegovina 86th and Serbia 96th.

The report says that media freedom is threatened by politicized regulation, insufficient access to public information and serious risks to the safety of journalists. It further states that journalists continue to be the target of political attacks.