Report says political pressure is weakening media freedom in Kosovo

Political interference, attacks on journalists and weaker media institutions are driving a sharp decline in press freedom in Kosovo, an international report said.

The assessment by eight media freedom groups cited pressure from senior politicians, funding problems at public broadcaster RTK and concerns over the independence of the media regulator.

Kosovo ranked 84th among 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, down 28 places from 2023.

The journalists’ association recorded 69 cases involving reporters and media outlets in 2025, including public attacks, online harassment and discrediting campaigns.

The report urged the next government to protect media institutions, improve access to public information and stop denigrating journalists.