Kosovo CEC ultimately accredits Serbian-language media for upcoming elections

Among those accredited are RTV Puls, Radio Kontakt Plus, Most TV, Gracanica TV, Radio Kim, Radio KM, GracanicaOnline, Alternativna, Herc TV, and the Media Center Caglavica, along with media outlets from central Serbia such as the Serbian state TV (RTS), the Tanjug agency, Prva TV, Nova.rs, Kurir TV, Danas, RTV Vojvodina, Video Plus, Nina Media Clipping, Insajder, as well as the Hungarian state television MTVA.

At its Thursday meeting, the CEC refused to accredit almost all Serbian-language media outlets that applied.

Following a recommendation from the Office for Registration, Certification, and Financial Control of Political Entities, the CEC on Friday recommended the accreditation of observer organizations. This came after an assessment of the documentation submitted with their applications and information from sources such as the Independent Media Council and the Council of Written Media in Kosovo.

Thursday’s CEC decision immediately drew strong reactions from the Association of Journalists of Kosovo and several non-governmental organizations. They expressed concern over the “unprecedented decision” by the CEC not to accredit any Serbian-language media to cover the October 12 local elections in Kosovo.