Kosovo criticised for media bans ahead of local vote

PRISTINA, Oct. 11 (TemA) — International organisations and media associations expressed concern after Kosovo’s Central Election Commission rejected accreditation requests from dozens of Serbian-language and international outlets ahead of Sunday’s local elections.

Some Albanian-language media were also refused access. More than 2 million voters are registered to elect mayors and municipal councillors in 38 municipalities. The commission did not explain the reasons for its decision.

The Press Council of Kosovo called the decision “unacceptable and harmful” to media freedom and election transparency. The OSCE Mission in Kosovo said limiting access by language or affiliation reduces transparency and public confidence in the process.

The United Kingdom’s ambassador to Kosovo, Jonathan Hargreaves, met with CEC chairperson Kreshnik Radoniqi to underline the need for open access for all legitimate media.

Kosovo’s Association of Journalists said the decision appeared to have political and ethnic motives. Serbia’s media association ANEM described it as “discrimination and a threat to democracy.”

Ninety-three political entities, including 32 political parties and two coalitions, have been certified to participate in Sunday’s vote.