Prishtina, June 27, 2024 – Kosovo’s proposed draft law on the Independent Media Commission (IMC) has sparked significant controversy, with critics warning that it could compromise the commission’s political independence. The legislation, drafted by the government and hurriedly approved during the year-end holidays, has raised alarms due to its lack of transparency and minimal consultation with civil society and media stakeholders.
The Committee on Media of the Assembly of Kosovo conducted a swift review of the draft law, by passing engagement with civil society groups and largely dismissing opposition input.
Critics argue that the rushed process and minimal debate have sidelined crucial recommendations for improving the legislation, as highlighted by assessments from the Council of Europe, the European Commission, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
An analysis by the Information Integrity Forum revealed that a staggering 83% of recommendations from international bodies were disregarded by the Committee on Media. Critics further contend that the draft law is ambiguous, creating legal uncertainty and failing to adhere to principles of proportionality. If enacted, fears persist that the IMC could be politically influenced, leading to inconsistent regulation of online media that undermines Kosovo’s media pluralism – a hallmark distinguishing it within the region.
“We urge Lëvizja Vetëvendosje not to support this draft law, which contradicts Council of Europe standards,” stated a spokesperson addressing the concerns. Advocates call for the parliament to restart the drafting process, advocating for a broad-based working group inclusive of local and international experts, civil society representatives, and media stakeholders.
The goal is to develop a media law that aligns fully with European norms and safeguards media pluralism, a fundamental value for Kosovo.
The backdrop to these developments includes Kosovo’s concerning decline in the media freedom index by Reporters Without Borders, dropping 19 places compared to the previous year. Critics emphasize that adopting the proposed law would likely exacerbate these challenges rather than address them.