Kosovo: Continued Violence Against Women Journalists Covering Tensions in Northern Kosovo

Masked protesters threaten and intimidate journalists covering arrest of person accused of attacking peacekeepers in May

Location: Kosovo, North Mitrovica
Date: June 13, 2023

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is closely monitoring the increased violence against women journalists in Northern Kosovo. Since May 28, we’ve documented at least 8 attacks against women journalists who are covering rising ethnic tensions. The latest developments include Zorica Krstic Vorgucic and Tatjana Lazarevi, who were prevented by protestors from filming demonstrations following the arrest of an individual accused of attacking NATO peacekeepers in May. The litany of attacks on journalists and media outlets covering tensions in Northern Kosovo is alarming. The Coalition For Women In Journalism is deeply concerned about harassment and intimidation faced by journalists reporting on tensions in Northern Kosovo. We urge local and international security services KFOR and EULEX to ensure journalists’ safety.

On June 13, several journalists in North Mitrovica were hindered from doing their work following demonstrations against the Kosovo police’s arrest of Milun ‘Lune’ Milenkovic. 

Zorica Krstic Vorgucic, a journalist for Radio KiM, reported that she was prevented from filming and that using her phone was "very dangerous." She described how masked individuals approached journalists and aggressively warned them not to take pictures or film, with one journalist having their photos deleted from their phone. 

The editor of the Kossev portal, Tatjana Lazarevic, informed the Association of Independent Journalists of Serbia that she was attacked on several occasions, with individuals attempting to stop her from filming and taking her phone. After posting an image of a masked protestor threatening her, Lazarevic was targeted by a vicious online campaign. She wrote about her experience in an article for Kossev.

Protestor confronts Tatjana Lazarevic. Photo Credit: Kossev

"Journalists are the biggest scum," wrote one commenter. While others blamed her for playing a role in the arrests and causing insecurity because of her reporting. 

Arrests and rising tensions in Northern Kosovo

Police in Northern Kosovo arrested Kosovo Serb Milun ‘Lune’ Milenkovic on Tuesday, accused of orchestrating attacks against NATO peacekeepers KFOR during violent protests in May.  

The arrest was made in a hair salon on the predominantly Serb-populated side of Mitrovica, where police used tear gas to disperse the crowd.

The incident has tested international efforts to de-escalate tensions following the violence in May when dozens of peacekeepers were injured and journalists attacked during protests over the installation of ethnic Albanian mayors in Serb-majority municipalities.

At least six women journalists’ vehicles were attacked by violent protesters while covering demonstrations.

Local journalist organization AJK has repeatedly called on security forces present in Kosovo to ensure journalists’ safety when reporting on demonstrations.

Speaking to CFWIJ, AJK emphasized that journalists “in northern districts are in exceptionally destitute conditions, and their security isn't guaranteed by KFOR, nor by EULEX police.”

Kosovo — with a majority ethnic Albanian population — declared its independence from Serbia in 2008. The United States and several European Union nations recognize the country. With the backing of its influential ally Russia, Serbia has refused to recognize Kosovo's independence, a stance shared by the majority of ethnic Serbs residing within Kosovo.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism expresses deep concern over the many attacks on journalists covering demonstrations in Kosovo. We believe that journalists have the responsibility to report on events without fearing for their safety. It is unacceptable that they are being put in harm's way while doing their jobs. 

We urge all security forces in Kosovo, including KFOR, EULEX, and Kosovo police, to take necessary measures to ensure the safety of journalists and enable them to report freely.

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.

If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.