Foundation and status

Independent Media Commission (IMC) was established in 2005 by the Law No. 02/L-15 on the Independent Media Commission and Broadcasting modified by the Law no. 04/L-044 of 2012 as an independent media regulatory authority (article 141 of the Constitution).
The law of 5 April 2012 has clarified and expanded the jurisdiction of IMC. Besides the control of frequencies and operators, IMC is responsible for monitoring programs content for guaranteeing the freedom of communication, and the respect of pluralism of expression and of opinion, monitoring election campaigns on radio and television. The 2012 law also assigns the task to IMC all regulations necessary for the implementation of the law of 2012 and the draft strategy on the digital switchover.
As an independent institution, the IMC is under the direct authority of the Parliament who votes its annual budget, appoints the new members of the Board. The IMC submits its annual activity report to the Parliament.
IMC broadcasting policy is in line with internationally accepted standards of broadcasting and of as regards the protection of freedom of expression and the pluralism of audiovisual media services.


Role and missions

The law of 5 April 2012 has clarified and expanded the jurisdiction of IMC. Besides the control of frequencies and operators, IMC is responsible for monitoring programs content for guaranteeing the freedom of communication, and the respect of pluralism of expression and of opinion, monitoring election campaigns on radio and television. The 2012 law also assigns the task to IMC all regulations necessary for its implementation and defining the draft strategy on the digital switchover.
IMC broadcasting policy is in line with internationally accepted standards of broadcasting and human rights, the relevant EU legislation, in particular with the European Commission Directive AVMS fully respecting democracy, rule of law, protection of freedom of expression and pluralism of audiovisual media services.


Competencies

IMC :

  • grants the right to use the frequencies to audiovisual media services according to the Broadcasting Frequency Plan;
  • collects taxes for the use of broadcasting frequencies from subjects licensed for audiovisual media services and the network operators;
  • issues the licenses to the public and private broadcasters;
  • controls the obligations of the licensees and may impose sanctions on breaches of law ad reviewing complaints;
  • monitors programs contents;
  • issues sub-legal acts to regulate broadcasting and audiovisual media services, is competent to draft the digital strategy as well as other strategic documents for audiovisual media services subject to the approval of the Government.
All decisions of IMC may be taken before the Appeals Board

The Board

According to Law no. 04/L-44, the IMC shall be composed of seven members appointed by the Assembly of Kosovo on the basis of open and transparent procedures.

Members of the IMC shall be distinguished personality from various fields, such as culture, art, justice, cinematography, journalism, business and management, public relations, international, relations and media and information technology.

Presently the Commission has 6 members:

  • Mr. Muja FERATI, Chair (2 years mandate)
  • Mrs. Violeta HYSENI KELMENDI, Vice-Chair (4 years mandate)
  • Ms. Vlorë BERISHA, Member (3 years mandate)
  • Mr. Xhemajl KRASNIQI, Member (4 years mandate)
  • Mrs. Maja SLAVIC, Member (3 years mandate)
  • Ms. Anita MURIQI, Member (2 years mandate)

One more member need to be appointed by the Assembly in order to complete the Commission.


The Agency

Director general : Mrs. Naile KRASNIQI

It counts with 30 staff members and is organized in 5 departments :

  • Legal Department
  • Licensing department
  • Department of Monitoring and Analyses
  • Frequency Management Department
  • Administration and Finance Department

The Appeal Board

The Appeals Board may support, modify or repeal any decision of the IMC, acting upon an appeal against a relevant decision regarding:
granting, denying, non-renewal or revocation of broadcasting licenses;
imposition or modification of broadcasting license conditions, excluding conditions relating to frequency allocation or other technical criteria;
the imposition of sanctions; and
such other matters as may be provided for in sub-legal acts.
The Appeals Board is composed of three members appointed by the Assembly of Kosova for a period of three years.

Contact

Address:
Rr. Perandori Justinian Nr. 14, Qyteza Pejton 10000, Prishtinë, Kosovë
Tel: 038 245-031
Fax: 038 245-034
E-mail: info@kpm-ks.org : fikrete.cocaj@kpm-ks.org
Website : www.kpm-ks.org