Kosova TV Journalist and Camera Operator Attacked, Locked in Room

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in South East and Central Europe and an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), is alarmed by the recent attack on Klan Kosova Television journalist Valentina Ahmeti and camera operator Arben Restelica, in the town of Ferizaj/Urosevac, reads an official IPI press release published yesterday by IFEX (the International Freedom of Expression eXchange).

According to information received by SEEMO, on September 8, 2010, TV journalist Valentina Ahmeti and camera operator Arben Restelica were investigating a case at the Gjon Sereci elementary school in Ferizaj/Urosevac, and were filming parts of the school and interviewing students and teachers. The director of the school attacked Ahmeti and Restelica and locked them in a classroom for 40 minutes. Restelica managed to call the police who eventually escorted the director of the school to the nearest police station. 

SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic said, “SEEMO strongly condemns this attack against journalists, urges an immediate and thorough investigation into the incident, and calls on the local authorities to express their commitment to the safety of journalists and the protection of press freedom in general.” 

Vujovic added, “Persons working as public officials should be cooperative in communicating with journalists. Those with legitimate complaints against the media can pursue such complaints through a range of different mechanisms. However, attacking journalists and locking them into a room is unacceptable.”