We, the undersigned, express our disappointment over the reappointment of Rilind Gërvalla as Acting Director of RTK1, RTK3, and RTK4. The decision was made during today’s meeting of the newly appointed Board of Kosovo’s public broadcaster, RTK, following a proposal by Acting Director General Zana Spahiu.

The Acting Director General and the RTK Board should have ensured that this position was entrusted to an individual of unquestionable integrity, politically independent, and committed to safeguarding and promoting the independence of the public broadcaster.

Mr. Gërvalla, a former activist and financial supporter of the ruling political party Vetëvendosje, led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti, does not provide the necessary guarantees for these principles and standards within RTK.

On the contrary, during his tenure, the public broadcaster has been used to target private media outlets in Kosovo. No internal procedures were ever initiated within RTK to hold accountable those responsible for broadcasting false information against two online media platforms, based on a report taken from a media outlet called “Slobodna Bosna” and aired during RTK’s main news program.

Furthermore, under his leadership, RTK has increasingly functioned as a platform promoting narratives favorable to the Government and the Vetëvendosje party. The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AGK) and other civil society organizations have previously raised concerns that several programs were removed from the broadcasting schedule without Board approval, while some journalists were intentionally taken off air.

Under the leadership of Mr. Gërvalla and Acting Director General Hysen Hundozi, RTK has, in our view, become a government-aligned propaganda instrument serving the interests of the Government and Vetëvendosje. Retaining Mr. Gërvalla in this important position sends a troubling signal that the newly appointed Board — itself selected through a process widely criticized as compromised — lacks the will to preserve RTK’s independence from political influence.

Several international reports have already raised concerns regarding political pressure on Kosovo’s public broadcaster.

Signatories:

Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AGK)

FOL Movement

Kosovo Law Institute (IKD)

Flutura Kusari — Media and Free Speech Activist