Thaci, Feith: Time for Serbian language TV

International Civilian Representative in Kosovo Pieter Feith and Kosovo PM Hashim Thaci today in Pristina issued a joint statement. In it, they said that "plans for a television channel that is by Kosovo’s Serbian speakers and for Kosovo’s Serbian speakers should now be developed". Thaci, Feith: Time for Serbian language TV "The International Civilian Office and the Government of Kosovo are committed to the establishment of an independent Serbian language TV channel that will broadcast across the whole of Kosovo," said the statement forwarded to the media. “Work in the media sector over the past year has shown that Serbian speakers in Kosovo want to receive information and entertainment produced here in Kosovo, in their own language. There are great benefits for citizens in a Serbian language channel that can connect communities and work in a complementary manner with existing local Serbian language media," said Feith. “The prime minister and I now intend to work with the relevant stakeholders to create a steering group for this project. We will look to that group to deliver a TV channel that is editorially independent, rooted in Kosovo and up to high professional standards.” “An independent television channel in Serbian language has been endorsed at all levels of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo. It will be strongly supported as freedom of expression in one’s mother tongue is the constitutional obligation and an inalienable human right for all. I remain convinced that this media project will further enhance the sense of community and that of belonging in Kosovo for all non-Albanian communities in general – and the Serb community in particular. We look forward to cooperating with all stakeholders in this important process as we remain grateful for the support by the ICO and ICR,” Thaci said.

Thaci, Feith: Time for Serbian language TV

"The International Civilian Office and the Government of Kosovo are committed to the establishment of an independent Serbian language TV channel that will broadcast across the whole of Kosovo," said the statement forwarded to the media.

“Work in the media sector over the past year has shown that Serbian speakers in Kosovo want to receive information and entertainment produced here in Kosovo, in their own language. There are great benefits for citizens in a Serbian language channel that can connect communities and work in a complementary manner with existing local Serbian language media," said Feith.

“The prime minister and I now intend to work with the relevant stakeholders to create a steering group for this project. We will look to that group to deliver a TV channel that is editorially independent, rooted in Kosovo and up to high professional standards.”

“An independent television channel in Serbian language has been endorsed at all levels of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo. It will be strongly supported as freedom of expression in one’s mother tongue is the constitutional obligation and an inalienable human right for all. I remain convinced that this media project will further enhance the sense of community and that of belonging in Kosovo for all non-Albanian communities in general – and the Serb community in particular. We look forward to cooperating with all stakeholders in this important process as we remain grateful for the support by the ICO and ICR,” Thaci said.