Vienna, 19/12/2011
The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), condemns the attack against Radio Television Kosovo (RTK) journalist Arta Avdiu and cameraman Blerim Rudari. On 13 December 2011, the Kosovo public broadcaster team was filming for a report on the use of municipal property in Lipljan/Gadime when a man started insulting and threatening them. The attacker tried to physically attack the journalist and the cameraman, as well as destroy the camera.
According to the Association of Kosovo Professional Journalists (AGPK), in 2011 there were 32 attempts to prevent journalists from doing their work.
“I call on the Pristina authorities to investigate this latest incident in Gadime,” SEEMO Secretary-General Oliver Vujovic said. “The media should be able to work freely everywhere in Kosovo.”