OSCE Media Freedom Representative concerned about pressure on KoSSev online portal and its editor-in-chief in Kosovo

VIENNA, 12 April 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concern today regarding two recent incidents against the KoSSev online portal.

On 11 April, the police briefly arrested the editor-in-chief of the KoSSev portal, Tatjana Lazarević, for allegedly violating the curfew announced last month. According to KoSSev, Lazarević was on her way to report on the situation at the Zvečan Health Centre, in relation to the coronavirus pandemic. During her arrest, she identified herself to the police by presenting her press card to them. She now reportedly faces criminal proceedings.

In another incident, on 9 April, the Head of the Crisis Headquarters of Mitrovica North, Aleksandar Spirić, called out the KoSSev portal for live-streaming a press conference of the Crisis Headquarters that took place the previous day. In particular, Spirić urged the portal not to cause instability by posing political questions, but instead to help the authorities in their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am concerned about the brief arrest of Tatjana Lazarević and how the local authorities in Mitrovica North are treating the work of the KoSSev portal. Journalists play a key role during this health crisis by providing vital information to the public. Access to information and a free working environment are therefore essential and need to be ensured at all times,” Désir said. He added that any kind of pressure against journalists has an immediate consequence, not only on them but also on the public’s right to be informed.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.