Kosovo’s public broadcaster, Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK), is facing an imminent financial collapse due to the prolonged failure of national institutions to allocate its legally approved budget, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said on July 24.

The IFJ and European Federations of Journalists (EFJ), along with their affiliate the Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK), have called on the Kosovo government to immediately ensure funding for RTK and safeguard its independence.

RTK may run out of funds within days, potentially leaving its nearly 700 employees without salaries for July and disrupting its news and programming services. The alarming situation comes amid a prolonged institutional deadlock and a non-functional Parliamentary Assembly, which has blocked key decisions, including the broadcaster's financing.

“RTK being left without a budget would mean no salaries for some 700 employees and the possible suspension of news and programmes vital to the public,” warned Xhemajl Rexha, chairperson of the AJK and Honorary Treasurer of the EFJ. “We urge the government to take the necessary steps to avoid the worst.”

The AJK, IFJ and EFJ stressed that journalists, cameramen and other media professionals must be allowed to carry out their work free from both political and financial pressures. They warned that the current situation not only threatens media freedom but could also undermine public trust in democratic institutions.

EFJ President Maja Sever urged Kosovo authorities to act swiftly: “We hope that the government will undertake urgent measures to ensure the proper functioning of public media in accordance with European standards. This includes longer-term funding guarantees, stable governance, sustainability and decent working conditions.”

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger echoed the concerns, stating: “We are deeply troubled by the non-allocation of the legally approved budget, which is seriously jeopardising the functioning of Kosovo’s public broadcaster and the well-being of its employees. The government must urgently unblock the budget and guarantee RTK’s future.”

RTK’s financial crisis raises broader concerns about the independence and viability of public service media in Kosovo, especially in times of political uncertainty.