A proposal by Kosovo’s Independent Media Commission, IMC, to consider suspending the broadcast of local broadcaster RTV Dukagjini’s political talk show Debat Plus has drawn criticism from media representatives and civil society activists, who warn it could threaten media freedom.

During an IMC meeting on June 10, Vice-Chairperson Drita Morina suggested that the Commission consider banning the airing of the programme, citing what she described as “repeated violations”.

“As long as we have been members of the IMC, such cases have been repeatedly associated with the same programme, to the point where we should consider suspending its broadcast. This is my proposal and it will be reviewed at the next meeting,” Morina declared.

The proposal followed the IMC’s review of a complaint related to a June 5 episode of Debat Plus featuring senior representatives of Kosovo’s main political parties. The complaint was filed by Artane Rizvanolli, the acting Minister of Economy from the ruling Vetëvendosje party, over comments made by Uran Ismaili, the deputy leader of the second largest party the Democratic Party of Kosovo, PDK.

During a confrontation with Glauk Konjufca, the deputy leader of Vetëvendosje, Ismaili accused Rizvanolli and other Vetëvendosje members of ‘stealing’. Konjufca immediately denied Ismaili’s allegations. 

The IMC said it discussed several cases linked to alleged violations identified during its monitoring of audiovisual media providers during the electoral silence period ahead of the June 7 elections.

The Debat Plus host, Ermal Panduri, told Prishtina Insight, that, “if someone thinks that Debat Plus can be stopped through pressure, decisions, or threats, they have misunderstood the history of this programme. It has survived because it has never belonged to any government or centre of power.”

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo, AJK, criticised the proposal, describing it as “unacceptable, irresponsible and a frontal attack on media freedom and freedom of expression in Kosovo.”

AJK noted that the IMC does not have the authority to sanction media outlets or journalists for statements made by guests during live debates.

“The unprecedented fines imposed by the new composition of the IMC confirm the concerns raised by the AJK and civil society that the IMC has been placed entirely in the service of Vetëvendosje and government policies aimed at intimidating media outlets and journalists,” the Association wrote on Facebook on June 10.

When asked by KALLXO.com about the criticism, Morina defended her comments and declined to elaborate further. 

“I am fully aware of what I said,” Morina stated.

Media expert Flutura Kusari, who monitored the IMC meeting, went on Facebook expressing her concern about the IMC’s approach.

“I believe the [IMC] aims to discipline media outlets and moderators who allow criticism of the government exercised by the Vetëvendosje Movement, under the threat of license revocation and closure,” Kusari wrote on Wednesday afternoon.

“I have never participated in a decision-making body where cases were reviewed without presenting the facts and without mentioning the names of the individuals involved,” she stated, adding that the IMC exceeded its mandate by attempting to determine what constitutes defamation, offensive language and insults.

The Press Council, KMSHK, also condemned Morina’s remarks, emphasising that any discussion of banning a television programme “lacked legal basis and constituted pressure on media freedom.”

“Such warnings, made with no legal basis, constitute direct pressure on freedom of expression and media freedom”, KMSHK stated on June 10 in a Facebook post.