On January 16, the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network in Albania (BIRN Albania) held a specialized training session for the Central Election Commission (CEC) Administration on the monitoring of social and online media during electoral campaigns.
The training drew on in-depth data and findings from BIRN Albania’s monitoring of the last two electoral cycles, providing a data-driven perspective on challenges, trends and best practices in monitoring election campaigns in Albania.
The session emphasized the importance of media monitoring in ensuring transparency and accountability during elections. Using lessons taken from past elections, participants were equipped with knowledge on identifying campaign-related financial spending on social media, detecting disinformation and addressing hate speech and unethical practices.
Key topics covered included:
- Social Media Algorithms and Campaign Trends – Analysis of how algorithms influence the reach and visibility of campaign content.
- Monitoring Political Ads and Campaign Messaging – Practical tools for tracking and analyzing campaign expenditures and communication strategies on digital platforms.
- Transparency in Electoral Campaign Finances – Based on insights from the 2023 financial reports analysis, this explored the challenges of identifying discrepancies in reported financial data, undeclared expenditures on campaign advertisement and hidden funding practices by political parties.
- Identifying Electoral Disinformation and Misinformation – Strategies for detecting and countering misleading narratives related to the integrity of electoral processes.
- Ethical and Legal Considerations in Monitoring – Discussion on safeguarding personal data and adhering to ethical standards during monitoring.
Participants also examined international best practices and the role of third parties in ensuring fair and transparent elections. The training highlighted how data transparency, particularly in campaign finances, is a cornerstone of democratic accountability, underscoring the importance of rigorous oversight in this area.
Particular attention was given to ethics and personal data protection during media monitoring, ensuring that monitoring activities align with both legal frameworks and ethical standards.
In preparation for the parliamentary elections due on May 11, the CEC is intensifying efforts to enhance its campaign monitoring processes. A Special Structure is being established to ensure compliance with international recommendations and best practices, with consultations ongoing among civil society and key electoral stakeholders.
BIRN Albania’s training is a step forward in equipping the CEC Administration with the tools and knowledge it needs for effective oversight of online and social media during election campaigns, ensuring transparency and accountability in the democratic process.
This training builds on the findings from BIRN Albania’s monitoring of the 2023 local elections. Participants were encouraged to refer to the following reports for a deeper understanding:
- Social Media Monitoring: Local Elections 2023 in Albania (download the report in Albanian or English language)
- Audiovisual Media Monitoring: Local Elections 2023 in Albania (download the report in Albanian or English language)
- Analysis of the Financial Reports of Electoral Subjects on the 2023 Electoral Campaign (download the report in Albanian or English language)
These reports provide invaluable insights into the media and financial aspects of electoral campaigns in Albania and serve as key resources for the effective monitoring and oversight of future elections.
