Kosovo journalist Kushtrim Sadiku said on Monday he has been subjected to death threats, intimidation and online harassment in recent days after releasing a documentary examining developments in Israel, highlighting growing pressure on reporters covering sensitive geopolitical issues.
Sadiku said he had been targeted by multiple groups inside and outside Kosovo, accusing them of threatening his life, family and professional career, and attempting to silence him through coordinated online campaigns.
“Over the past 72 hours, I have been lynched and threatened by various groups in Kosovo and abroad,” Sadiku told an audience at a public event. “They threatened my life, my family and my work, accusing me of acting as if I were taking Serbia’s side.”
The documentary, which focuses on Israel’s political and security situation in recent years, sparked intense debate on social media, exposing deep political and ideological divisions within Kosovo’s public sphere.
Press freedom advocates say the case reflects broader challenges faced by journalists across the Western Balkans, where reporters covering geopolitics, security and ethnic relations are frequently exposed to intimidation, smear campaigns and threats.
“Journalists in the region increasingly face coordinated harassment when they tackle controversial or polarising subjects,” said a representative of a local media watchdog, calling on authorities to investigate threats and ensure journalists’ safety.
Kosovo’s journalists’ associations have repeatedly warned that threats against media workers remain widespread, particularly online, with perpetrators rarely brought to justice. According to international watchdog groups, the Western Balkans continues to face structural problems related to political pressure, disinformation and weak protection mechanisms for journalists.
Sadiku said he would not be deterred by the threats and vowed to continue his investigative work.
“I will not stop,” he said. “Intimidation will not silence journalism.”