AGK Defends Status Quo, Threatens Kosovo’s Press Freedom

AGK's secretive opposition to Kosovo's media law exposes a disturbing agenda: protecting corrupt interests over press freedom, undermining democracy, and evading transparency and accountability.

In a move that has sent shockwaves through Kosovo's media landscape, the Journalists Association of Kosovo (AGK) has recently escalated its opposition to the draft Law on the Independent Media Commission (IMC) by ¹submitting comments to the Constitutional Court, urging the law to be declared unconstitutional. This unprecedented legal challenge raises fundamental questions about the AGK’s motivations, the integrity of its leadership, and the broader implications for media freedom and democracy in Kosovo.

• Why, one must ask, is the AGK so determined to block a piece of legislation that ostensibly aligns with European Union (EU) standards and is designed to bolster media freedom and accountability?

• What drives this fervent opposition, and what does it reveal about the true nature of the AGK and the forces it represents?

The AGK has ²framed its challenge in the context of protecting media freedom, arguing that the draft law undermines the independence of the IMC and imposes unjust constraints on online media. Yet, a closer examination of the AGK’s actions and the broader media environment in Kosovo suggests that this narrative is deeply flawed and self-serving. The AGK’s opposition appears less about defending the principles of free expression and more about maintaining a status quo that benefits a select few at the expense of genuine journalistic integrity.

At the heart of the AGK’s objections is the law’s requirement for the licensing and regulation of online media, a provision that has been met with fierce resistance from within the industry. Critics like ³Flutura Kusari, a prominent media lawyer, have voiced concerns that the government seeks to use this law as a tool to discipline and control the media, painting a picture of a state hell-bent on stifling dissent and curbing press freedom. But this perspective overlooks the ⁴safeguards embedded within the law, which are designed to protect the independence of the IMC and promote a diverse and vibrant media landscape.

⁵The draft law, far from being a draconian measure, is a forward-looking piece of legislation that seeks to align Kosovo’s media regulation with EU standards. It mandates the IMC to uphold the independence of media outlets, promote a diverse range of content, and protect the rights of journalists and media consumers alike. These provisions are not arbitrary; they are essential to ensuring that Kosovo’s media landscape is free from undue influence and that journalists can operate without fear of reprisal or censorship.

Yet, the AGK’s opposition to these measures raises serious questions about its true intentions.

• Why is the AGK so vehemently opposed to a law that seeks to bring transparency and accountability to the media sector?

• Could it be that the AGK is less concerned with protecting media freedom and more interested in preserving a system that ⁶allows certain media outlets to operate with impunity, shielded from scrutiny and accountability?

This suspicion gains credence when one considers the AGK’s ⁷response to the Kosovo Government’s attempts to enforce administrative accountability at Klan Kosova, a prominent media outlet. When the government demanded that Klan Kosova explain why it had registered its business using Kosovar city names in line with Serbia’s constitution—an act that directly contravenes Kosovo’s constitution—the AGK cried foul, framing the government’s actions as an ⁸attack on press freedom.

But was this really a matter of press freedom, or was it a case of the AGK defending a media outlet that had engaged in practices that were not only unconstitutional but also aligned with the interests of a foreign power?

The registration of business names in contravention of Kosovo’s constitution is not a trivial matter. It represents a direct challenge to the sovereignty of the state and aligns with the ⁹Kremlin-aligned Serbian agenda that seeks to undermine Kosovo’s independence. By interpreting the government’s legitimate demand for administrative accountability as interference in editorial policy, the AGK has not only misrepresented the situation but has also exposed its own complicity in a broader effort to protect media outlets that engage in practices harmful to Kosovo’s national interests.

This is not an isolated incident. The AGK’s selective outrage and its willingness to ¹⁰defend media outlets engaged in dubious practices suggest that it is more interested in protecting its own power and influence than in upholding the principles of journalism. The AGK’s actions in this case are indicative of a deeper rot within the organisation, one that prioritises the interests of a few powerful media figures over the needs of the broader journalistic community.

Moreover, the AGK’s approach to the current legal challenge further exemplifies its lack of commitment to transparency and accountability—values it hypocritically claims to uphold. While the AGK has been vocal in press conferences and various public gatherings, offering its subjective interpretations and criticisms of the draft law, it has conspicuously failed to disclose the full content of the comments it submitted to the Constitutional Court. This secrecy is deeply troubling, as it flies in the face of the very professional ethics the AGK purports to champion. Transparency is a cornerstone of journalistic integrity, and the AGK’s refusal to make its full comments public suggests an intention to manipulate the narrative rather than engage in an open and honest dialogue. By acting in secrecy, the AGK undermines the democratic process it claims to protect, revealing its true agenda: to obstruct meaningful reform and maintain control over a media landscape that desperately needs transparency and accountability.

Take, for example, the case of ¹¹Berat Buzhala, the controversial figure behind Nacionale, who recently found himself at the center of a scandal involving the withholding of evidence from the public. Buzhala’s decision to ¹²hand over evidence to the state prosecution while refusing to disclose it to the public is a blatant violation of journalistic ethics. Journalists are not law enforcement officers; their role is to inform the public and hold power accountable. By withholding evidence, Buzhala has not only undermined the principles of transparency and accountability but has also compromised the integrity of his profession.

This scandal is further compounded by the AGK’s ¹³reaction—or rather, its lack thereof. The AGK was quick to condemn President Osmani’s criticism of Nacionale, framing it as a threat to press freedom. Yet, the AGK remained conspicuously silent on the ethical breaches committed by Buzhala, suggesting a troubling double standard. The AGK’s selective outrage and its failure to address the unethical conduct of one of its own raises serious questions about the integrity of the organization and its leadership.

This ¹⁴pattern of behaviour—defending the indefensible and turning a blind eye to the ethical lapses of powerful media figures—suggests that the AGK is not the champion of media freedom that it claims to be. Instead, it appears to be an organisation that has been co-opted by a small group of influential media players who are more interested in protecting their own interests than in upholding the principles of journalism.

The AGK’s actions are not just a betrayal of the journalistic community; they are a threat to the very foundations of democracy in Kosovo. By opposing a law that seeks to bring transparency and accountability to the media sector, the AGK is effectively endorsing a system that allows media outlets to operate without oversight, free to engage in practices that undermine public trust and erode the integrity of the press.

Moreover, the AGK’s willingness to shield media outlets like Klan Kosova and Nacionale from scrutiny raises serious concerns about the influence of foreign powers within Kosovo’s media landscape. The alignment of certain media practices with the interests of Serbia and Russia is not coincidental; it appears to be part of a broader strategy to destabilise Kosovo and undermine its sovereignty. By defending these practices, the AGK is not just failing in its duty to uphold journalistic standards; it is actively contributing to the erosion of Kosovo’s democratic institutions.

The AGK’s challenge to the draft Law on the IMC is not just a legal manoeuvre; it is a political act that seeks to maintain the status quo and protect the interests of a powerful few. This is not about defending media freedom; it is about preserving a system that allows certain media outlets to operate with impunity, free from the constraints of transparency and accountability.

The time has come for a reckoning. The AGK must be held accountable for its actions and its role in perpetuating a corrupt and compromised media landscape. The journalistic community in Kosovo deserves better. It deserves an association that truly represents its interests and upholds the highest standards of the profession. The draft Law on the IMC is a step in the right direction, one that will bring much-needed reform to Kosovo’s media sector and ensure that it operates in the service of the public, not the powerful.

The AGK’s opposition to this law reveals its true colours: an organisation more interested in protecting the interests of a select few than in upholding the principles of journalism and democracy. It is time for the AGK to answer the hard questions and for the journalistic community in Kosovo to demand the accountability and transparency that it deserves. Only then can Kosovo’s media landscape truly be free, independent, and in service to the public good.

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3. The Erosion of Journalistic Integrity by Trusted Figures — Gunpowder Chronicles.

4. Addressing the Concerns — Gunpowder Chronicles.

5. New Media Law in Kosovo: EU-Aligned and Accountability-Focused — Gunpowder Chronicles.

6. Undermining the Fourth Estate: S Bunker's Coordinated Attacks Threaten Democratic Discourse in Kosovo — Gunpowder Chronicles.

7. Klan Kosova Faces Legal Issues Regarding Media and Business Licenses — FRONTLINER.

8. AJK's Double Standards Jeopardise Press Freedom — FRONTLINER.

9. EU candidate Serbia and Russia sign foreign policy agreement — AP.

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14. Journalists Under Siege: S Bunker's and AJK's Shadow Campaign — Gunpowder Chronicles.