Europe & Eurasia

Kosovo

{This graph represents scores that have been modified by CIMA so that higher scores indicate a better media situation. It is intended to show trends over time; each index measures significantly different factors of press freedom. To see an explanation for how this graph was created, click here.}

IREX Score: 2.54	[IREX Methodology]
{Higher is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 4.00}

IREX Description:

Overall, the media sector improved in some areas and experienced setbacks in others, and Kosovo's overall MSI score declined slightly from the previous year, from 2.60 to 2.54. On the positive side, Objective 1 (freedom of speech) has increased slightly each year since 2008 with the highest freedom of speech score (2.70) since the beginning of this study in 2001. However, Kosovo media continue to receive low scores for business management. Local media in particular lack business plans and are often on the verge of bankruptcy. A number of radio stations lost their licenses during the year for inability to pay licensing fees, which in general are relatively inexpensive. As such, Objective 4 (business management) suffered a small decrease in score. Objective 5 (supporting institutions) also lost about a quarter of a point, although still scored well enough to remain in the middle of the "near sustainability" score category.

Read more on IREX’s site…

Freedom House Score: 51 (Partly Free)	[RSF Methodology]
{Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to ~120}

RSF Score: 24.83	[RSF Methodology]
{Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to ~120}

Reporters Without Borders Description:

Distribution of the written media is still embryonic leaving a lot of space for the more influential broadcast media. The leading channel Radio Television Kosovar (RTK) continues to expand under the direct influence of the government. Its funding depends on the goodwill of parliament, which is unlikely to want to deprive itself of the leverage that comes with this situation. The contracts of station directors have not been renewed after expiring three years ago, so the former management remains in place but without any standing and at the mercy of government pressure. If it can manage to stabilise its investments, the growing influence of privately owned KTV could soon counterbalance that of RTK.

Access to information and to public data remains difficult and has still not been guaranteed under law. The basis of written media self-regulation has been established with the creation of the Press Council of Kosovo. The regulatory body is made up of journalists and editors and can impose a right of reply or fines on journalists who breach the code of conduct and media ethics. But like the Media Commission, the Press Council is under government sway.

Europe & Eurasia

Kosovo

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