Prishtina, July 1, 2025 – The Ombudsperson hosted journalists, civil society activists and representatives of local and international organizations, and discussed media freedom and the safety of journalists.

The purpose of this roundtable was to discuss the state of media freedom in the country, the challenges and problems faced by journalists, Kosovo’s negative ranking in the Reporters Without Borders index, the legal protection of journalists, the protection of personal data and the challenges in self-regulatory bodies of the media.

In his opening speech, the Ombudsperson Naim Qelaj said that media freedom and freedom of expression are two fundamental pillars of democracy and that these rights are included in the catalog of human rights and as such are always in the focus of the institution he leads.

Mr. Qelaj said that the Reporters Without Borders 2025 report on the state of the media in Kosovo has raised alarm and that measures must be taken to guarantee the inviolability of the media.

The participants emphasized that it is important to have a genuine dialogue with the future government and other relevant institutions regarding media freedom and the safety of journalists, especially on the issue of amending and supplementing laws related to the work of the media.

One of the issues discussed was the law on the Independent Media Commission, a law that did not pass the Constitutional Court, and it was emphasized that the changes should be made with broad participation of the public and professionals in the field.

Also, this meeting emphasized the lack of transparency and cooperation on the part of state institutions in relation to journalists. More efficiency was requested from the justice and security system regarding cases of attacks and threats against journalists, as well as working conditions for journalists.