European Journalists Federation condemns Kosovo media regulator's heavy fines

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) unanimously adopted a motion at its annual congress in Ankara in support of Kosovo’s media outlets, which have faced what the federation describes as disproportionate fines imposed by the Independent Media Commission (KPM). The fines, amounting to more than €60,000 across six KPM meetings, are linked to alleged breaches of the media ethics code during the February 2025, December 2025 and June 2026 election campaigns.

The EFJ denounced the penalties as an attempt to limit freedom of expression and to intimidate journalists, especially after complaints from members of the ruling Vetëvendosje party. EFJ President Maja Sever said the media “have full European support to continue their essential work for the public.” The federation’s board was instructed to call on Vetëvendosje to cease attacks on journalists, to write formally to the KPM urging it to respect its legal mandate, and to request an urgent meeting of Kosovo’s Parliamentary Media Commission to ensure the regulator’s decisions do not endanger media pluralism.