OSCE Kosovo Mission head welcomes Assembly recommendations on public broadcaster

PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 2 April 2015 – The Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Jean-Claude Schlumberger, welcomed the recommendations made today by the Assembly of Kosovo on the public broadcaster Radio Television Kosovo (RTK).

“I commend the Assembly for steps taken to look into the performance and finances of the public broadcaster. It is the responsibility of the Assembly as a key oversight institution in Kosovo to act in response to the concerns voiced in relation to the RTK over the past weeks,” said Schlumberger. “I am looking forward to the relevant stakeholders acting swiftly and addressing the Assembly’s recommendations. Editorial independence and appropriate management are key prerequisites for a functional and credible public broadcaster.”

The recommendations follow concerns raised recently by a group of editors and the trade union of RTK, as well as several political representatives, with regard to editorial policies and general management of the public broadcaster.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo is mandated with human rights protection and promotion, democratization and public safety sector development. It helps safeguard freedom of media and freedom of expression and supports media development.