
Starting today, the new regulation of the Kosovo Constitutional Court enters into force, which limits the presence of the media in this institution, further narrowing the space for public information. This is the first time in 35 years of democracy that such a regulation imposes restrictions on the media.
The acting chairman of the GJKKO, Erion Bani, has ignored the criticism and objections of local journalists, their associations, as well as international organizations, which have described the regulation as an unconstitutional act that conflicts with the freedom and right to information and "one of the most restrictive regimes."
The regulation was drafted and approved without prior consultation with media representatives, nor with representatives of the Chamber of Advocates, who are also affected by the new restrictions.
A day before the regulation entered into force, the GJKKO published an "information material" on how to implement it, structured in the form of questions and answers drafted by the court itself.
The new regulation introduces restrictions for the media, with journalists banned from using phones and audio recorders. The presence of cameras is almost impossible, and in the event of a lack of seats in the hall, the presence of journalists will be done on a rotational basis.
The media is the only party that can convey to the public what happens inside the courtroom, but with the new regulation, the GJKKO has imposed new restrictions on journalists in the exercise of their duties.