Investigative journalist Qendresa Tershani has been deeply engaged in uncovering the increasing cases of femicide in Kosovo—the western Balkan nation of 1.8 million people. Outspoken and bold, Tershani faces significant challenges reporting in a society marked by strong patriarchal norms and deep divisions.
“People have called me ‘hyena’ for following the story of a murder of a woman allegedly by her husband last year,” Tershani, 26, says.
Although women make up 65 per cent of the journalists in Kosovo, a recent report by the Network of Women Journalists of Kosovo – an independent group of women journalists – revealed that they often face harassment, intimidation, and violence—both online and offline. The abuse, frequently anonymous, targets their gender, appearance, and private lives, affecting not only them but also their families.
“Cultural stereotypes about women’s roles and capabilities often exacerbate these threats, creating a hostile and unsafe environment,” the report stated.
Attacks on journalists by ordinary citizens are frequent in Kosovo and the language used by the larger society to demean journalists is similar to the inflammatory language politicians use against journalists, says Tershani.
“Politicians have not only insulted journalists but also physically attacked them, which precisely shows their level of responsibility towards media workers,” Tershani says.
Tershani says the government lacks accountability and transparency, as her repeated appeals to the Ministry of Justice seeking more information about the investigation of an alleged child rape case and a task force on violence against women remain unanswered for several months.
“The government wants to silence my reporting on these sensitive issues by not responding to the questions,” Tershani says.
Voices of women journalists have rarely been systematically documented in Kosovo, and therefore this report was authored by two journalists.
“We want to identify the key issues directly from the journalists themselves and use that evidence to advocate for better policies, protections, and practices—especially as there is no journalists’ union in Kosovo to formally address these concerns,” says Getoarbë Mulliqi, the executive director and the founder of the Network of Women Journalists of Kosovo, who co-authored the report.
Some women journalists were initially hesitant to discuss harassment, but once they realised that it could inspire change, most opened up as they were relieved that someone was finally listening to them and creating a supportive, safe space for them, adds Mulliqi.
It’s this safe space that is lacking right now, even in newsrooms.
Harassment by male colleagues
Women often face verbal harassment and inappropriate and hostile behaviour from male colleagues or supervisors as well, ranging from casual derogatory remarks to overt discrimination or attempts to discredit their work.
Journalist Anisa Pllana, 22, who writes on economy, education, health, and politics at news portal FrontOnline, says that female journalists are perceived to be less authoritative or are required to work harder to gain the same level of credibility as their male colleagues.
Some male journalists showed support and acknowledged the challenges women face, even suggesting solutions. But there were many who were “dismissive or defensive”, especially when the findings challenged existing norms in the newsroom, Mulliqi says.
Gendered assignments
Women journalists are often assigned “soft” beats such as lifestyle, entertainment and education, while men are sent to cover “hard” news such as politics, economics and do investigative journalism, the report stated. This reinforces outdated stereotypes about gender roles and journalistic capability, implying men are capable of handling complex, high-stake reporting while women are better suited for emotionally driven or less impactful topics.
Albert Limani, 36, a male editor of a Kosovo daily, Zëri, however, feels that media in Kosovo is dominated by women, who have proven to be very successful in their work.
“Most dangerous events are covered by women, and most investigative shows are led by women. Women journalists are entrusted with difficult tasks, but the majority of their supervisors are men,” Limani says.
Impact on women journalists
The discrimination and harassment take a toll on the mental health and professional autonomy of women journalists, discouraging them from fully engaging in their work and restricting their access to high-profile or politically sensitive stories, the report stated.
But Tershani didn’t let any harassment take a toll on her professional commitment.
“I know how not to be affected by them to a large extent, so they have not hindered my work,” Tershani says. “I don’t feel discouraged.”
Interestingly, women journalists are finding strength in each other as they are advocating for safer and more equitable working conditions and continuing to push for change within the industry, Pllana adds.
The new report has sparked important conversations in this regard by making the gender dynamics in journalism more visible.
“We consider this a crucial first step,” says Mulliqi.
Top photo source: Canva
