ANEM ALARM: Protest against the violence of the Kosovo Police towards journalists at Gazimestan.

According to the testimonies of the attending journalists, an editor from the public service RTK reported that Kosovo Police officers used physical force despite the fact that he was shouting in both Serbian and Albanian that he was a journalist.

The director of KoSSev, Nevenka Medić, whose car has been set on fire and damaged twice in Kosovska Mitrovica and who was properly accredited to report on the commemoration of Vidovdan at Gazimestan, was roughly searched despite clearly displayed journalistic credentials and having identified herself as a journalist.

Violence against journalists and their harassment while performing professional duties, especially in a situation where there were no incidents or conflicts, is absolutely unacceptable.

We call on journalistic associations operating in Kosovo, as well as international organizations, to condemn such police conduct and demand accountability from Kosovo Police officers for the use of unjustified force against journalists.

“The editorial team of KoSSev is a member of the Association of Independent Electronic Media, and its journalists are often targeted by aggressors and political powerful figures, both in Kosovo and in Belgrade. Professional and impactful reporting has become a dangerous job throughout the region. We demand that international organizations in Kosovo protect journalists and media from violence, especially when it comes from police officers, whose duty is to ensure a safe working environment for journalists,” stated Veran Matić, president of the Board of the Association of Independent Electronic Media.

Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)

The project “Enhancing the system of prevention and response mechanisms in cases of threats to the safety and lives of female and male journalists in Serbia” is being implemented by ANEM in partnership with Insider TV and the Center for the Development of Local Media, with support from the European Union.