Several editors and moderators at Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) have publicly denounced what they describe as the “arbitrary and unlawful” decision by RTK management to remove them from hosting scheduled programs.
The statement, posted on Facebook by journalist and moderator Blerta Foniqi Kabashi, said the decision was communicated on Friday at the end of the workday, without prior warning or legal basis. Affected programs include the 5:00 PM magazine show and the 11:00 PM news broadcast.
“On Friday, at the end of our workday, we received an unannounced and illegal notice removing us from moderating programs, including the 5:00 PM magazine and the 11:00 PM news. We requested a meeting with RTK management regarding this situation, but received no response,” the statement reads.
The editors also highlighted ongoing pressure and baseless accusations from superiors, which have made it increasingly difficult to perform their professional duties.
“The tendency is clear: whenever interviews with opposition guests are broadcast, management threatens to remove the programs from the schedule. The recent arbitrary decision to remove the 5:00 PM magazine, and months earlier ‘Latest News,’ is illegal, as program changes can only be approved by the RTK Board, which is currently nonfunctional,” the statement said.
The moderators emphasized that the decision’s sole purpose appears to be silencing independent and professional voices within the public broadcaster.
“This is a serious alarm for the functioning of the public broadcaster and for democracy in the country. We will pursue all legal avenues to protect our rights, while continuing to work independently, objectively, and professionally,” the statement concluded.
The statement was signed by:
- Blerta Foniqi Kabashi
- Meneta Zekaj Nushi
- Jehona Zhitia
- Edona Musa
- Arton Mulliqi
- Valon Bajrami
