K2.0 is an independent media organization. This means that everything we produce — our articles, podcasts or videos, whether on our website or on social media — are free of any political or corporate influence, conflicts of interest, or other kinds of external pressure. At K2.0 we are guided by our conscience, the ethical standards of our profession and our responsibility to our readers. This is to make sure that we and our contributors feel empowered to say exactly what we need to say — with no exception.
How do we do this?
First, we have strict internal procedures that ensure that our editorial production abides by the highest professional standards. We take this matter very seriously; journalism for us is not only a job — it is a civic vocation.
Second, because we do not rely on state funds and we refuse corporate partnerships that would threaten our independence, we are able to ensure that no political or corporate influence drives our editorial choices. This is a rare choice in the media environment in Kosovo and the region.
So, how do we keep K2.0 running?
You may have noticed that not only in Kosovo, but worldwide, the media situation is getting worse. The advent of social media and the coming of the global digital society have struck an unprecedented blow to the sustainability of the media. Many independent publications have closed. Many others have diluted the quality of their work and started producing click-bait or working in the service of vested interests. In Kosovo, the ability for a publication to support itself from reader support is slim.
We are able to do what we do thanks to our donors — who cover close to 100% of our budget. Donors — be they NGOs, development agencies, embassies or foundations — recognize our role as an independent voice in society and support our mission to create powerful, uncompromising journalism that listens to people’s experiences, explains complex realities, provides context and provokes conversations in Kosovo, the region and beyond. Our donors respect our independence, which allows us to maintain the critical voice that our readers have come to expect from us.
Being a non-profit entity, all of our funding goes directly into our work. We receive a mixture of institutional support, which broadly supports our ongoing functions, and support for specific projects.