After many high-level sackings at Radio and Television of Kosovo, the RTK board has opened a competition for a new General Director.

The term of office is three years, with the possibility of re-election on the basis of competition. The competition will be open until February 21 and applications may now be submitted.

It comes after, on January 19, the RTK board dismissed the now former director, Ngadhnjim Kastrati. In post since April 2019, his mandate was due to expire in April this year.

The official reasoning for the dismissal decision said Kastrati had failed for three years in a row to open up competition to recruit the right staff for the proper functioning of RTK.

The current acting director is Shkumbin Ahmetxhekaj. 

At the end of January, the RTK board also dismissed the Deputy General Director, Mentor Shala, and a former MP, Milaim Zeka. On Monday, the noard also dismissed the director of Radio Kosova, Ernest Luma.

Ahmetxhekaj said Luma had violated the law, RTK internal regulations and his employment contract by taking sides and participating in political debates on rival media. “Instead of defending, respecting … [RTK] in a dignified manner, Luma committed violations himself, damaging the image of RTK,” Ahmetxhekaj said.

Ahmetxhekaj said the board will soon meet to elect a new director of Radio Kosova.

Funding at RTK has been cut sharply lately. The government allocated 2.2 million euros less for RTK for 2022. Its 2021 budget was 11.2 million euros.