Category: News and Events

BIRN Montenegro Hosts Launch of Government Open Data Portal

At the portal’s launch in Podgorica, Public Administration Minister calls on ‘all state institutions to proactively publish datasets on it’.

On December 16, BIRN Montenegro hosted the launch of the Montenegrin Government Open Data Portal, followed by a panel discussion on open data in Podgorica.

The event, organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Administration, emphasized openness and transparency as essential principles for modern public administration, fostering citizen trust and effective governance.

BIRN Montenegro’s Executive Director, Vuk Maras, highlighted the challenges Montenegro faces in ensuring public policy transparency.

“The Ministry of Public Administration has provided us with a tool, and now it is up to us to use it. It is in everyone’s interest for this portal to become fully operational,” Maras stated.

Minister Marash Dukaj described the new open data portal as a “central point for accessing public-sector data in an open format” and called on all state institutions to proactively publish datasets on it.

The previous portal, launched in 2018, collapsed following a cyberattack on Montenegro’s IT infrastructure in August 2022. After BIRN Montenegro highlighted the unavailability of open data, the Ministry announced on September 27 that a new portal would be launched in December.

The revamped portal includes nearly 400 datasets, categorized by specific areas. The launch also heard the Secretary General of parliament, Aleksandar Klarić, announce that all data related to parliament would now be available in a readable format. He added that citizens would have the ability to visualize and compare data.

Open data refers to public-sector information made freely available online for use and reuse by anyone, enhancing public administration transparency. It is designed to reduce the number of requests for free access to information while increasing the quantity and quality of information published by government institutions.

BIRN Albania Unveils Monitoring Report on Transparency and Accessibility in Health and Education

On December 10, BIRN Albania launched the monitoring report, “Transparency and Accessibility in the Health and Education Systems,” during a roundtable event in Tirana.

The event, organized in partnership with Together for Life, Qëndresa Qytetare, and Destiny Center for Excellence under the European Union-funded SPACE project, highlighted the urgent need for improved transparency and inclusivity in Albania’s health and education sectors.

This report provides a comprehensive evaluation of transparency and accessibility in eight public institutions, including regional health and education directorates. It identifies critical gaps in information availability, institutional accountability, and the inclusion of vulnerable groups, offering actionable recommendations to address these challenges.

Kristina Voko, Executive Director of BIRN Albania, emphasized the significance of the report during her opening remarks: “This publication serves as a vital tool for civil society and policymakers, shedding light on systemic issues while paving the way for reforms that can strengthen public trust and service quality.”

Key findings, presented by Ardita Shehaj, an expert in transparency programs, and Aida Myftaraj from ACER, revealed disparities in proactive transparency and FOI responsiveness across institutions.

The panel also featured Suela Lala, an activist for the rights of people with disabilities, Romina Sefa, an advocate for minority rights, and Xheni Karaj, a prominent LGBTI activist, whose perspectives enriched the discussions by bringing the voices of marginalized communities to the forefront. Their inclusion underscored the necessity of addressing the unique challenges faced by these groups in accessing health and education services.

The roundtable brought together public officials, civil society representatives, and advocacy groups, fostering a robust discussion on implementing the report’s recommendations and improving the accountability of public institutions.

This report marks a pivotal step in empowering civil society, promoting evidence-based advocacy, and advancing good governance in Albania.

Full monitoring report in Albanian can be downloaded here.

Full monitoring report in English can be downloaded here.

BIRN Kosovo Trains Journalists to Report on Money Laundering

Two-day workshop was designed to equip journalists with the skills they need to shed light on financial crimes.

On November 29–30, BIRN Kosovo trained 29 journalists and freelancers in Prishtina on ways to enhance their ability to investigate and report on money laundering.

The event, organised by BIRN Kosovo and supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, FCDO, aimed to equip journalists with the skills they need to shed light on financial crimes, a critical area often shrouded in complexity.

The training included a diverse lineup of experts, including financial forensics specialists, intelligence officers and prosecutors. The workshop underscored the role of journalism in promoting accountability and transparency, by uncovering financial misconduct.

Day one began with an introduction to the Joint Intelligence Network Against Money Laundering, delivered by Besnik Veseli, from the Tax Administration of Kosovo.

This session set the stage for a detailed examination of money laundering schemes, real-life cases in Kosovo and successful investigative methods drawn from the UK.

Alan Barr and Nick Wilcox, key figures in the UK-Kosovo Anti-Money Laundering Programme, provided insights into the challenges of combating financial crime in the Balkans.

A highlight was a practical exercise led by Visar Prebreza, a financial forensics expert, in which participants worked in groups to apply investigative techniques to hypothetical scenarios.

The day concluded with a working dinner at which Kosovo’s Deputy Chief Prosecutor, Ersan Qavolli, discussed the challenges of tackling money laundering cases.

The second day delved into practical aspects of journalism, with sessions on tracing money laundering through tax and company records and company.

Journalists explored ways to identify high-risk sectors and typologies, analyze case studies and leverage their right to access information under Kosovo’s laws.

In a collaborative exercise, participants explored a fictional case of a company suspected of money laundering. Guided by the experts, they developed strategies to track money flows, draft investigative plans, and identify red flags.

Kreshnik Gashi, editor-in-chief of KALLXO.com, guided participants through the complexities of reporting on money laundering. He led sessions on understanding the right to access information crucial for uncovering financial crimes and on ways journalists can use investigative tools to expose illicit financial activities.

Gashi also explored the consequences of failing to investigate money laundering, shedding light on how unchecked financial crimes can fuel corruption and organised crime.

He emphasized the importance of collaboration between journalists and institutions, highlighting how investigative reporting can hold authorities accountable and empower citizens to demand transparency.

The workshop stressed the importance of journalism in combating financial crime. By providing journalists with the tools to investigate complex cases, it will help to foster a more informed and vigilant media landscape in Kosovo. As financial crime evolves, such initiatives will be key to ensuring transparency and upholding the rule of law.

Vulnerable Groups Bear Brunt of Digital Rights Violations in Balkans, Conference Hears

At BIRN’s Digital Rights Annual Conference in Tirana, speakers highlighted that women and LGBTQ+ groups are often the chief victims as new technologies and bad laws worsen violations in South East Europe.

Media representatives and civil society and international organisations told BIRN’s Digital Rights Annual Conference in Tirana, Albania, that worsening digital rights violations in the Balkans were having “profound effects” on people’s lives.

“The report shows that digital rights violations have profound effects on everyday lives, only amplifying already existing human rights issues and barriers. While compiling it, we have attempted to paint the current picture but also to forecast future trends,” Ena Bavcic, BIRN’s Digital Rights Research Lead said.

Despite the challenges, Bavcic said there is still hope for a safe internet.

“Challenges are numerous but there is some hope and we hope this report will be used to cast light on steps that need to be taken to improve online safety for everyone,” Bavcic said, referencing BIRN’s Digital Rights Violations Annual Report 2023-2024, published on Wednesday.

Bavcic highlighted that the main digital rights violations in the region over the past year include disinformation, hate speech and cyber attacks. She also underlined the malicious use of AI.

“Most of the cases [in the report], such as computer fraud, phishing, manipulated videos impersonating others and other similar digital rights violations were ‘improved’ by AI. AI is here to stay,” Bavcic said.

She predicted that the malicious use of AI will preoccupy the digital agenda in the coming years, as it is used increasingly to target politicians, political opponents and journalists and to spread hate speech and disinformation. Deep-fake videos are increasingly used against girls, women and LGBTQ+ individuals.

Speakers at the event highlighted legislative changes that have worsened digital rights violations.

“There is a lack of public debate and a lack of information about stakeholders [when making new laws] and so we wake up to a law that was passed at 5am by the majority in parliament. Women and the LGBTQ+ community are targeted specifically under these laws,” Gurkan Ozturan, Media Freedom Monitoring Officer at the European Centre for Press and Media Freedoms and Turkey Rapporteur for Freedom House, said.

Ozturan recalled various adverse legal changes in Turkey and recent plans to adopt a Russian-style law labelling foreign-funded organisations as “foreign agents”. Similar laws have either been introduced or proposed by lawmakers in Hungary and Bosnia’s Serb-dominated Republika Srpska entity.

Speakers and participants at the event stressed the serious effects of digital rights violations on vulnerable groups, such as girls, women and LGBTQ+ groups.

One of the speakers, Xheni Karaj, director of Albania’s Aleanca, an NGO advocating for LGBTQ+ people, has faced serious threats online due to her activism and media appearances. “We don’t realise the damage these messages impose on activists and a whole movement, when the whole country sees you as a ‘public enemy’ just because of misinformation,” Karaj said.

Karaj recalled getting death threats after a media appearance in which she spoke about the UK registering newborn babies on passports under Parent 1 and Parent 2, after which she said a similar system could be applied in Albania. However, the media twisted her statement and added a headline accusing Karaj of wanting to remove the traditional family from Albanian legislation entirely.

“Many media outlets … started to reproduce this news, magnifying the disinformation that this news represented. I wasn’t following the media at the time but I was receiving a lot of death threat messages on my social media without even knowing why,” Karaj added.

The Digital Rights Violations Annual Report 2023-2024 was co-funded by the European Union.

A day before the event, a documentary, Body of Shame, exploring the sexual abuse and harassment of women in Albania, was screened.

Broad Community Engagement is Key to Internet Governance in BiH

Engaging all stakeholders—including governmental and non-governmental organizations, academia, and the media—in the internet governance process is essential for Bosnia and Herzegovina to align its digital regulations with global standards, according to the first panel of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF).

In her introductory remarks at the IGF, Ingrid MacDonald, United Nations Resident Coordinator in BiH, stressed the importance of the country joining the global discussion on internet governance as soon as possible, especially given that these efforts have been initiated by civil society in BiH.

MacDonald warned of the daily risks associated with the digital space, emphasizing the need to recognize these dangers and respond to them adequately. She pointed to disinformation as a serious concern that is threatening human rights and undermining democratic processes worldwide. As examples, she highlighted the targeting of medical professionals during the coronavirus pandemic and the unprecedented levels of misinformation observed during the war in Gaza.

She especially emphasized the need to protect human rights and bolster general security in the digital space, with particular attention to children and other vulnerable groups.

“The protection of children is something that is crucial for BiH as well, to ensure there is safety in the online space and that sexual predators, as well as all others who exploit children and their video content, are stopped,” MacDonald said.

She also referenced the Global Digital Compact, an international framework for the governance of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, which offers unprecedented solutions for safeguarding human rights worldwide.

Dunja Mijatovic, a human rights and new technologies expert, said that the internet is now connecting people like never before, necessitating new approaches to managing this tool effectively.

She emphasized that communities around the world are facing unique challenges in the digital world today, and that only a joint effort from citizens, institutions, and the private sector can contribute to regulating this area.

This is  especially crucial, she added, in BiH, where regulation is lacking and the authorities are not moving towards addressing this important issue. For her, the media thus has a critical role in connecting all societal groups in this process.

“In the context of internet governance, the media has three key roles: to promote responsibility, media literacy, and to clarify local and global perspectives. Although they are often not included in the discussion on governance, it is important for this to change in BiH, but also globally,” Mijatovic added.

Denis Dzidic, Executive Director of the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) in BiH, and Darko Brkan, Executive Director of the organization ‘Why Not’, also stressed the growing importance of internet governance issues.  Yet, in BiH, these discussions do not include the whole community, which must change in order for the country to align with global trends and regulate its information space and digital services.

At the first IGF panel, Edin Forto, State Minister of Transport and Communications, said that there was no consensus in BiH on how to govern the internet in any sector, and that building this consensus is the first step that must be taken.

In terms of security, he recalled a cyberattack on the BiH Parliament, when the data was preserved purely by chance, emphasizing that the absence of cybersecurity protocols leaves the entire society vulnerable to threats.

“We could have one serious cyberattack that freezes all processes in our society, and we wouldn’t know how to respond to it,” Forto warned.While acknowledging the revival of efforts to establish a Computer Incident Response Team (CERT) in Bosnian institutions, he also noted that this process had stalled—an apt illustration of the country’s vulnerability to risk.

To resolve these issues, he advocates adopting a new law on electronic communications in accordance with European Union legislation, as well as implementing measures to ensure transparency in media ownership, as the media must be a key partner in designing legal and strategic frameworks for internet governance.

Anja Gengo,  Program Expert at the UN IGF Secretariat, discussed the ongoing process of digital transformation, highlighting the need to effectively manage digital technologies. For her, capacity development is one means of addressing the challenges of the technological revolution, and artificial intelligence is one of the most pressing topics in this conversation.

In the context of BiH, Gengo highlighted both the opportunities presented by technological development and the challenges facing countries in transition, like BiH, in the digitization of private and public services.

“The administration is at the greatest risk. In that sense, this is a call to learn from countries already dealing with these issues,” Gengo said, citing Estonia as a leader in this field.

From a judicial perspective, Arben Murtezic from the Center for Education of Judges and Prosecutors in the Federation of BiH identified many factors beyond regulations and the judiciary that affect internet governance, all of which require sufficient attention.

“This is an area where processes depend very little on the judiciary or even on the legal framework, but instead rely mostly on the general culture in society,” Murtezic added.

He believes that in establishing a framework for internet governance, there must be a focus on combating crime, particularly pertaining to the collection and use of digital evidence. While this evidence can provide a multitude of opportunities, it may also be of questionable credibility.

Fedja Kulenovic, information expert and assistant at the University of Sarajevo Faculty of Philosophy,  concluded the panel by  advocating for dialogue between various stakeholders in the internet governance process and the implementation of different regulations across sectors.

According to Kulenovic, information ethics and information literacy are critical in the conversation about regulating the digital space, and it is important to consider all sectors where capacities need to be strengthened. He argued that the academic community can contribute to this process by bridging the gap between the governmental and non-governmental sectors to ensure the standardization of certain practices as well as assist in infrastructure development and facilitate a better understanding of all concepts crucial for effective internet governance in BiH.

Meet the People Behind BIRN: Kreshnik Gashi

Kreshnik Gashi is Editor-in-Chief of KALLXO.com (BIRN Kosovo), having joined BIRN in 2012.

He is a law graduate and has won over 20 journalistic prizes for his investigations into corruption and abuse of public duty.

He is the author of over ten in-depth, comprehensive reports on terrorism, corruption, transitional justice, media financing, disinformation and gender-based violence/gender equality in Kosovo.

Recently, he won an EU Award for Investigative Journalism (first prize).

Let’s meet him!

  1. Why did you decide to investigate corruption and abuse of public duty?

My decision to delve into investigative journalism stems from my professional background and aspirations. Having studied law, I initially envisioned a career as a prosecutor focused on serious crimes. However, on entering journalism, I realised the profound impact I could have in uncovering crime and corruption through in-depth investigations. Journalism offered me a broader platform to expose wrongdoing and contribute meaningfully to public accountability. This realisation motivated me to change my focus from prosecution to investigative reporting, where I found both success and personal fulfillment in uncovering systemic abuses of power.

  1. Since joining BIRN, you’ve produced over 300 investigative TV programmes and around 1,000 investigative articles. What do you prefer working on and why?

Corruption and crime are deeply embedded in various aspects of life in the Balkans, making investigative journalism both challenging and crucial. Over the years, I have uncovered organised crime networks spanning from the judiciary to the environment. My preference lies not in the medium, be it TV programmes or articles, but in the completeness of the investigation itself. What drives me is the thoroughness of the research and the precision with which those responsible for misconduct are identified and exposed. This comprehensive approach ensures accountability and empowers the public with actionable knowledge.

  1. How do the results of your work affect you – with over ten prosecutors and judges being arrested and charged, over 30 police officers being arrested and ten indictments of corruption issued for public officials, such as ministers and mayors? What crosses your mind when you look back at these results of your investigations?

Every time I publish a significant investigation, I feel a sense of achievement, often believing that it may be the pinnacle of my career. Yet, experience has shown that each new investigation builds upon the last, raising the standard for what is possible. These results – such as the arrests and indictments – validate the importance of investigative journalism and its role in fostering accountability. When I reflect on these outcomes, I am reminded that the pursuit of truth is an ongoing journey, and there is always more to uncover.

  1. You also hold workshops. Can you tell us more about that?

Professional growth is a cornerstone of my career, and I dedicate considerable time to both attending and delivering advanced training. Each year, I personally attend over 10 specialized trainings in diverse fields. As a certified trainer, I have developed comprehensive programmes on topics ranging from terrorism, money laundering and organised crime to whistleblower protection, identifying disinformation narratives and gender-based violence reporting. My training programmes are tailored to various audiences, including journalists, lawyers, students, and public officials. For specific institutions, such as the police, prosecution, courts, tax administration and customs authorities in Kosovo, I have designed specialised modules on public communication and countering disinformation. These efforts aim to equip stakeholders with the skills needed to navigate complex challenges and enhance transparency.

  1. You and Behar Mustafa recently won the EU Award for Best Investigative Journalism for 2024 in Kosovo (first prize) for your series of investigations into corruption with building permits in Brezovica. So far, you have won over 20 journalistic prizes. What do they mean to you?

Awards serve as both recognition of the hard work behind investigative journalism and as motivation to strive for greater excellence. Winning the EU Award for Best Investigative Journalism in 2024, alongside Behar Mustafa, was a recognition of our dedication to uncovering corruption in Brezovica. For me, these accolades are not just about prestige but also a personal challenge to surpass my own benchmarks. Each award pushes me to innovate, dig deeper, and remain competitive with my peers, ensuring that my work continues to make a meaningful impact.

  1. Which of your stories are you most proud of and why?
    Two investigations stand out as defining moments in my career:

US-Sanctioned Serb’s Company Subcontracts Work to Kosovo Albanians
This investigation uncovered how organised crime groups from Kosovo funneled illicit funds into projects in Ulcinj, exposing the international reach of corruption.

The Appeals Chief Prosecutor Bribery Case
This exposé revealed that the chief prosecutor of appeals accepted a bribe of 300,000 euros, a story that sent shockwaves through the justice system.

These stories exemplify the transformative power of investigative journalism in holding individuals and systems accountable.

BIRN Albania Opens Call for Investigative Stories on Healthcare

BIRN Albania launched a call for investigative stories on November 29, offering grants to three journalists to produce articles on the private and public health systems in Albania.

We are offering grants for three talented journalists to delve deep into healthcare-related topics, uncover hidden truths, and shed light on critical issues affecting Albanian citizens.

Why Apply?

  • Financial Support: Receive grants to cover your expenses during your investigations.
  • Mentorship: Work closely with experienced editors who will guide and mentor you, helping you craft compelling stories that adhere to BIRN’s high standards.
  • Impactful Journalism: Contribute to the fight against corruption and impunity, as part of the project “Promoting Accountability and Transparency through Investigative Reporting”, supported by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
  • Networking Opportunities: Build connections with journalists, experts, and civil society activists working toward greater transparency and accountability.

Selected journalists will have 3-4 months to investigate their chosen topics, conduct in-depth research, and produce high-quality articles that highlight the challenges and dynamics of Albania’s healthcare systems.

The call only applies to journalists from Albania and closes on December 16, 2024.

Click here for more information (in Albanian) about the application procedure.

Click here to download the application form (in Albanian).

BIRN Albania Holds Roundtable on Healthcare

November 25 roundtable discussed mismanagement and corruption in the health system – and ways to improve service delivery.

The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network in Albania on November 25 held a roundtable in Tirana on the healthcare sector with journalists and experts from civil society organisations.

Two dozen reporters and civil society activists discussed corruption and poor management of the healthcare system in Albania.

The roundtable was moderated by Egla Bardhi, executive director of Together for Life, a civil society watchdog group active in advancing patients rights and monitoring health expenditures.

The roundtable was held as part of the project “Promoting Accountability through Investigative Journalism,” supported by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

This project aims to build bridges between journalists and civil society to jointly strengthen the fight against corruption and impunity through investigative journalism.

The topics discussed in the roundtable will inform an upcoming call for investigative grants for mid-career reporters.

The call will fund three reporting grants for journalists that investigate corruption and abuse of office in the helthcare system.

 Topics discussed during the roundtable included:

– Budgeting and insufficient funding for hospitals and services.

– Trade in cytostatic drugs outside the hospital system.

– Lack of enforcement of laws and protocols for treating patients with blood disorders.

– Implementation of hospital autonomy processes and the lack of role of relevant boards.

– Financial interests and political connections behind the list of reimbursable drugs.

– Restrictions and penalties for family doctors by the FSDKSH.

– Evaluation of family doctors’ performance.

– Planning and management of human resources in the healthcare system.

– Shortage of doctors, fictitious payments and benefits, and their costs for the healthcare system.

– Practical implementation of free healthcare for children.

– The issue of children with HIV/AIDS and infections in hospital settings.

– Forensic medicine and reporting of violence against children.

– Misinformation about vaccines and its impact on the population.

BIRN Macedonia Holds the Second Training for Young Journalists

BIRN Macedonia held the second training in the 2024-2025 year-long series of investigative journalism training courses.

Thirteen young journalists participated in a three-day course from November 22 to 24 in Veles, North Macedonia.

BIRN journalists guided the participants on where and how to find story ideas, shared how big stories can be uncovered from simple checks of publicly available records, how to develop the idea into a reporting plan, where to look for data, as well as how to identify sources.

In a newsroom editorial meeting simulation, the participants divided into teams were given the opportunity to pitch stories. BIRN journalists, together with the participants, discussed the proposed topics, assessed their viability and gave advice about how the stories could be produced. As a result, five stories were selected that will be produced in the upcoming months. BIRN’s senior journalists will provide mentoring support.

During the training, the participants were shown how to look for and obtain data in a dozen open-source databases that BIRN’s journalists regularly use to research and write their stories. With the mentors’ guidance, the participants applied these database searches to their chosen topics. The participants were also given an interview simulation with various sources relevant to their stories.

The young journalists will work on their stories under senior journalists’ mentorship until February 2025, when the next training will be organized.

BIRN Kosovo Conducts Training on the Role of the Local Level in Countering Extremism and Terrorism

BIRN Kosovo organized a one-day training session with Municipality of Podujeva officials on November 22 aimed at equipping them with more knowledge on the National Strategy for Preventing and Countering Terrorism and enhancing local capacities in understanding the strategy, the efforts and dealing with pressing security challenges that are posed by extremism.

This training covered aspects such as introduction to terrorism and different forms of violent extremism and continued with the strategic objectives of the Strategy. Labinot Leposhtica, Legal Office and Monitoring Coordinator at BIRN Kosovo and Member of the Working Group for National Strategy for Preventing and Countering Terrorism, highlighted the role of the local level in countering extremism and terrorism especially within the local communities and the actual need for local implementation of the strategy.

Milot Sfishta, a representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs,  emphasized the crucial role of local authorities in meeting the objectives of the Strategy and explained in detail through a presentation an overview of the current situation returnees while highlighting the importance of the local-level on the process in general.

A total of 16 participants attended the training, out of which, five women, reflected a diverse group of municipal representatives and municipal staff members of the Municipality of Podujeve.

By the conclusion of the training, participants were left with a deeper understanding of the national strategy as well as an increased awareness of their responsibilities as public servants. This training is aimed at serving a safer and more resilient community, better prepared to face the realities of violent extremism.

The event was conducted as part of the ‘Resilient Community Programme’ established by the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF).