Thaci Says No Political Pressure on RTK

Pristina | 30 October 2009 | Petrit Collaku

Hashim Thaci

Kosovo Premier Hashim Thaci has rejected criticism levelled at his government by European Broadcasting Union, EBU, Director Jean Reveillon, who alleged political interference in the affairs of public broadcaster RTK.

Reveillon criticised Thaci for purportedly "transforming Radio Television of Kosovo, from being a balanced broadcaster of news into a media arm of the ruling party".

In his letter to Reveillon, Thaci argued that Kosovo’s government has always worked to maintain press freedoms.

”On behalf of the government of the Republic of Kosovo, and on my personal behalf, I would like to assure you that we aim to maintain and strengthen the instruments and conditions that ensure the editorial independence of RTK,” the missive reads.

Thaci emphasised that the government has lowered VAT for newspapers and provided grants to minority media organs.

“You have made several strong assessments in your letter. However, allow me to suggest that, behind a number of your greatest concerns lie reasons far more complex than the far-fetched scenario of a political party trying to control a public medium,” Thaci wrote.

He claimed that, despite RTK’s difficult financial situation, the government has worked to ensure that RTK continues to be financed through the obligatory payment of a 3.5 euros tax on electricity bills issued by the Kosovo Energy Corporation, KEK.

“Members of the Assembly from many parties, including Assembly Speaker Jakup Krasniqi from my political party, have defended the KEK-RTK contract,” Thaci said.

Reveillon criticised Thaci for not resolving the licence fee issue and for a decision to ban advertisements during RTK's primetime broadcasting, which was made by the Independent Media Commission.

“The corresponding regulatory agency is independent of the government, and its board consists of civil society leaders and experts with extensive experience in working in the media sector,” Thaci responded, referring to the commission.

Regarding the issue of RTK’s independence, Thaci said: “RTK is not, and has not been, under the control of the government or of political parties. TV programmes highly critical of the government are frequently aired, and I see them as an important voice and a crucial part of a system of checks and balances."

“As a regular viewer of RTK, I have my personal complaints about the quality of some programmes and the quality of reporting, but I realise that some of these issues [...] are simply a product of journalism that is not yet on a par with the expectations of a modern European medium,” Thaci added.

He has invited a EBU delegation to come to Kosovo to assess the current state of RTK and to talk to all interested parties.