Location: Kosovo, Pristina
Date: February 11, 2022

The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the language used by the country’s First Gentleman Prindon Sadriu for members of the press. In a now deleted post on social media, Sadriu labeled the news media industry as “a criminal joint enterprise”. He implied that members of the press were attempting to undermine the President with their reporting. Such language and hostility towards journalists by the country’s higher ups can lead to significant risks for media workers on ground. 

Sadriu, who is also a high-ranking diplomat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs used unacceptable language towards journalists and the media at large in a post on Meta (Facebook) on February 8, 2022. In the post, which was later deleted, Sadriu referred to the country’s press as “a joint criminal enterprise” and accused them of slander and bribery. 

“When representatives of a Joint Criminal Enterprise,‘ journalists ’of underground politics, people involved in bribe and misuse of millions, give lessons. These are the people who slander, who paid 1,200 US Dollars for a night at the Intercontinental Manhattan Hotel, or paid a breakfast $ 50 per person (their lunches and dinners going up to thousands of dollars),” wrote Sadriu on his Facebook page. 

Before the post was deleted due to widespread condemnation, it was shared by several other officials, including the media advisor to President Bekim Kupina.

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) condemned the language used against the media calling it “unacceptable and a direct pressure for the work they do”.

Sadriu’s derogatory post came after an online media outlet published a seemingly unedited article, which wrongly included an editorial comment saying “(you can remove this part unless you want to slap the President)”. The article with the editor’s comment was republished unedited by other media outlets which led to many comments from President’s supporters and officials, as well as those of the ruling party, Vetevendosje. The article was later properly edited and published again. The outlet also issued a public apology and a statement informing of the dismissal of those responsible for the unedited version. 

AJK also condemned “unprofessional and unethical reporting”. The journalists’ body emphasized on the importance of the Code of Ethics of the Press and the Code of Ethics for Media Service Providers in the Republic of Kosovo, calling on all media workers to abide by integral journalistic principles. “The role of the media in the new democracy of Kosovo is essential for providing credible and impartial information to the citizens of the country, in the interest of the public,” read AJK’s statement.

European Parliament Rapporteur for Kosovo Viola von Cramon also reacted to the incident, stating that she is closely monitoring “the denigrating campaign” against media workers. “Free media is one of essential pillars of democracy and journalists must have the freedom to express themselves without any fear,” she wrote on Twitter.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism registers strong protest against the language used by the first gentleman towards the press. While the publishing of an unedited copy is regrettable, it does not justify the use of such rhetoric against the media at large by a high-ranking government official. We stand in solidarity with journalists in the country who strive to speak truth to power despite difficult working conditions. We call on Sadriu to issue an immediate apology and on the country’s leadership to respect the right of free speech. The country’s higher-ups should work with all stakeholders to ensure that an independent and robust press thrives in the country, not attempt to ridicule or slander it.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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