Adjudication of the Press Council of Kosovo on the Complaint of the Ministry of Trade and Industry “Zëri” newspaper

In its regular meeting, held on 27 December 2011, while deciding on the complaint of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, versus “Zëri” newspaper in relation to articles entitled “Mimoza sacks employees, and employs Gjakovars” published on 04 November 2011 and “Mimoza, do you want the facts!!!” published on 05 November 2011 the Press Council of Kosovo took the following

A D J U D I C A T I O N
– To reject the Complaint
R E A S O N I N G

On 30 November the Ministry of Trade and Industry, filed a Complaint to the PCK, against “Zëri” newspaper in relation to articles published on 4 and 5 November 2011, entitled: “Mimoza sacks employees, and employs Gjakovars” and “Mimoza, do you want the facts!!!”.
Once it heard the representative of “Zeri” newspaper and following a review of all complaint contentions, the PCK Board found that the complaint should not be upheld.
PCK finds that in the article entitled: “Mimoza sacks employees, and employs Gjakovars” the “Zëri” newspaper also presented the viewpoints of the representative of the Ministry of Trade and Industry Arta Istrefi, who says that the selected candidates were the best ones. Thus the newspaper acted in compliance with Article II (reporting the Truth) and Article IV (the right to respond) of the Press Code. The newspaper also published the pronunciation of Mehdi Pllashniku who was sacked by this ministry.
The newspaper published the reaction of the MTI which clarifies that the Director of AMNVM is Granit Berisha, which clarifies this fact, and where it was once again stated that the selected persons were the best candidates and that there is evidence to support this.
PCK found that the candidate holding number 31 Valdrin Lluka, ran in the election campaign under the flag of AKR, although he was a member of g-15, which was not registered as a party, thus, he ran in elections with the New Kosovo Alliance coalition.
PCK greeted the Decision of this Ministry to re-establish contacts with the journalists including those of “Zeri” and requested from “Zëri” newspaper and the MTI to establish proper cooperation relations and refrain from insults. Based on the above the PCK Board decided as outlined in the enactment clause of the present Adjudication.