OSCE Mission in Kosovo welcomes new legislation on public broadcaster

Prishtinë/Priština, 13 April 2012 – The Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Werner Almhofer, welcomed today the promulgation of the new law on public broadcaster Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK).

The signing of the law yesterday completed the political process which included discussions with local and international institutions and experts. The law will enter into force 15 days after its publication in the official journal.

“An independent, unbiased and professional public broadcaster is essential in promoting the freedom of expression and the right of the population to impart and receive information,” said Almhofer. “The new law on public broadcasting in Kosovo will give a legal basis to protect these fundamental human rights, and paves the way for the public broadcaster to enrich its programming in the languages of non-Albanian communities.”

“While the adoption of the law by the Assembly and its promulgation are important steps, its implementation is the next major task and challenge,” he added. “The OSCE will support the Assembly committee on media in overseeing the proper application of the law by both the government and the public broadcaster.”

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo is mandated with human rights promotion and democratization, including media development. Since October 1999, the OSCE Mission has had an instrumental role in establishing and developing the Kosovo public broadcaster.