The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) has received with concern the announcement from six RTK journalists regarding their removal from the screen and the programs they hosted on the public broadcaster.

Blerta Foniqi Kabashi, Meneta Zekaj Nushi, Arton Mulliqi, Edona Musa-Mustafa, Jehona Zhitia, and Valon Bajrami reported that RTK management, without prior notice, informed them last Friday that they were excluded from moderating the 17:00 and 23:00 news magazines.

AJK strongly condemns this arbitrary decision by RTK management, which represents an unprecedented level of censorship at the public broadcaster.

AJK views this action as a punishment of the six journalists for performing their professional duties independently, raising concerns about delayed salaries, and maintaining editorial integrity free from political influence.

This is further evidence of the concerns AJK has long raised: that the current management has positioned itself in full service of the Kurti government and the ruling political party, Vetëvendosje.

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo calls on management to review and revoke this decision, allowing journalists and editors to carry out their work in the public interest without ongoing political interference.

AJK will support the six journalist colleagues in every step they take to challenge this unacceptable, politically influenced decision.