EBU accuses Thaci of interference in Kosovo television
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has accused Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci of exerting political and financial pressure on Kosovo's public service broadcaster (RTK) in the run-up to local elections.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Monday, October 26, 2009
"I write after receiving alarming news about RTK", said EBU Director General Jean Reveillon in a letter to Thaci.
He accused the former warlord-turned-politican of being behind a "relentless process of political and economic interference" which began "soon after the declaration of independence".
"I regret to say that [...] pressure from your government has transformed RTK from being a balanced supplier of news into a media arm of the ruling party and of yourself as prime minister," Reveillon wrote.
He said that the RTK is not a member of the EBU - since EBU status permit membership only from countries recognized by the International Telecommunication Union - but that it had received support from an "advantegous services agreement".
"In the context of recent developments, and unless the situation improves substantially and rapidly, the EBU may consider withdrawing from this contract. This would have a very damaging effect on the programming available to viewers in Kosovo", Reveillon said.
Reveillon's letter was copied to, among others, the President of the European Commission, the Director General of UNESCO, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe, and to members of the European Parliament.
