Tag: Kosovo

Organised by the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN Kosovo) and the Kosovar Center for Security Studies (KCSS), the training focused on equipping participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and counter misleading narratives that threaten local communities.

The first session, led by Labinot Leposhtica from BIRN Kosovo, addressed the influence of Russian and Chinese disinformation on Kosovo’s media and justice systems.

Leposhtica discussed how disinformation campaigns, often orchestrated by foreign powers, aim to destabilize the region by undermining trust in institutions and spreading false narratives.

He provided examples of how these actors manipulate information, particularly regarding the justice system, and introduced mechanisms for regulation and self-regulation that can help counter these efforts.

Students learned to differentiate between disinformation, misinformation and narratives, and were given practical tools to spot and debunk false narratives spread by state-controlled foreign media.

The second session, led by Skënder Perteshi from KCSS, shifted the focus to religious disinformation. Perteshi discussed how radical religious groups in Kosovo and abroad use disinformation as a strategic tool to promote extremist ideologies.

Participants were introduced to the various narratives used by these groups to mislead vulnerable audiences as well as the strategic goals these groups aim to achieve through disinformation.

Perteshi emphasized the importance of understanding the target audiences of religious disinformation and provided strategies for building positive alternative narratives to counteract extremist messaging.

The session also covered how secularism, democracy and the rule of law are often attacked by such disinformation campaigns, and how individuals can protect themselves and their communities from being misled​.

By the end of the training, students gained a stronger understanding of the dynamics of disinformation and were better prepared to act as critical consumers of information.

Leposhtica and Perteshi emphasized that tackling disinformation requires active participation from the community, especially from young people who play a key role in shaping Kosovo’s future.

The training was held by BIRN Kosovo and KCSS within the project “Increasing public awareness on Russian, Chinese influence and religious disinformation and equipping media students and journalists with the necessary tools to identify, analyze, and combat disinformation”, supported through the Digital Activism Program by TechSoup Global.

The training aimed to empower students with the knowledge and tools they need to identify and combat disinformation, particularly narratives originating from Russia and China, and religious ideologies.

The training tackled the complex nature of disinformation. The first session focused on foreign influence, specifically Russian and Chinese disinformation, and the second addressed religious-based misinformation that often targets vulnerable communities in Kosovo.

Visar Prebreza, from BIRN Kosovo, led the discussion on Russian and Chinese disinformation. He provided a deep dive into how foreign powers, especially Kremlin-led and Chinese state-controlled media, have disseminated misleading narratives that affect local perceptions in Kosovo.

Prebreza highlighted the challenges that Kosovo’s media face when addressing such disinformation. He walked participants through the key elements of identifying false narratives and offered real-world examples of how these tactics play out in the Kosovo media landscape.

Skënder Perteshi, from KCSS, led the second session, on how extremist religious groups use disinformation as a tool to spread radical ideologies.

In his presentation, he outlined the various strategies these groups use, including targeting specific audiences with narratives designed to undermine secularism, democracy and the rule of law in Kosovo.

He also explored the broader strategic goals of radical religious actors and how their disinformation campaigns aim to divide communities.

The session concluded with practical advice on how to build positive counter-narratives to disinformation and promote unity​.

The training allowed the students to engage directly with experts and discuss the role of media literacy in defending against disinformation.

Prebreza and Perteshi both emphasized the importance of youth involvement in creating resilient communities capable of identifying and responding to misleading information.

This training was held by BIRN Kosovo and KCSS within the project “Increasing public awareness on Russian, Chinese influence and religious disinformation and equipping media students and journalists with the necessary tools to identify, analyze, and combat disinformation”, supported through the Digital Activism Program by TechSoup Global.

The training aimed to provide practical tools and knowledge to identify and counter Russian, Chinese and religious disinformation in Kosovo.

The first day of the training, led by Skënder Perteshi from KCSS, focused on the context of religious radicalization and extremism in Kosovo and the broader region.

Perteshi highlighted the ways in which extremist groups, both Islamist and Orthodox Christian, utilize disinformation to promote their radical agendas. He discussed how these narratives often target vulnerable populations, aiming to disrupt secularism, democracy and social harmony.

The session explored key topics, such as the dynamics of religious extremism and online radicalization, how extremist groups use disinformation as a tool for recruitment and the importance of developing counter-narratives to combat extremism and false information.

Participants engaged in discussions about the real-world impact of religious disinformation on Kosovo’s communities and how journalists can play a crucial role in exposing and countering these harmful narratives.

On the second day, Visar Prebreza from BIRN Kosovo, introduced participants to the historical and ongoing influence of Russian and Chinese disinformation in Kosovo and the wider Balkans. Prebreza, an expert in fact-checking and disinformation mapping, delved into how these foreign actors use propaganda to shape public opinion and destabilize political and social environments.

Key topics of the second day included: the strategic objectives behind Russian and Chinese-driven disinformation campaigns in the Balkans; the role of investigative journalism in identifying and exposing sources of disinformation; how local media can strengthen their internal capacities to resist and counteract fake news.

Participants were encouraged to think critically about how disinformation affects Kosovo’s political landscape, especially in terms of electoral processes, public trust in institutions and media freedom. The session also emphasized the importance of building a professional foundation in fact-checking and sourcing reliable information.

The training concluded with participants working in groups to develop ideas for citizen activism against disinformation. The focus was on creating community-driven initiatives that empower individuals to recognize and reject false information.

This training was held by BIRN Kosovo and KCSS within the project “Increasing public awareness on Russian, Chinese influence and religious disinformation and equipping media students and journalists with the necessary tools to identify, analyze, and combat disinformation”, supported through the Digital Activism Program by TechSoup Global.

Led by experts from the Kosovo Centre for Security Studies (KCSS) and the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN Kosovo), the event focused on equipping the participants with practical tools to identify and counter false narratives.

Skënder Perteshi, a researcher at KCSS, opened the training by discussing the strategic aims of radical religious organisations that use disinformation as a tool to undermine democratic institutions. Perteshi highlighted that these actors often target vulnerable audiences by spreading narratives designed to erode trust in secularism, democracy and the rule of law.

The second part of the training, led by Labinot Leposhtica, from BIRN Kosovo, shifted the focus to Russian and Chinese disinformation in Kosovo.

Leposhtica emphasized the global disinformation tactics used by these foreign actors to destabilize regions and influence public opinion. He presented several cases of how Russian and Chinese narratives have infiltrated media platforms in Kosovo.

The training was designed to be more than just a theoretical discussion; participants were actively involved in discussions. They were encouraged to question the information they consume and were provided with methods to fact-check and validate sources.

In addition to combating disinformation, the session underscored the importance of promoting a free and independent media in Kosovo. Perteshi and Leposhtica emphasized the need for ongoing vigilance, especially as foreign actors continue to exploit digital platforms to spread misleading information.

Students underlined that the need for these trainings is critical, as they are increasingly exposed to disinformation from various media channels. Such sessions help equip them with the skills to critically analyze information, identify false narratives and understand the strategies used by foreign and radical actors to manipulate public opinion.

This training was held by BIRN Kosovo and KCSS within the project “Increasing public awareness on Russian, Chinese influence and religious disinformation and equipping media students and journalists with the necessary tools to identify, analyze, and combat disinformation”, supported through the Digital Activism Program by TechSoup Global.

BIRN Kosovo has opened a new call for applications for the second two-day training course on investigative reporting and fact-checking, as part of the EU-funded project ‘Strengthening Quality News and Independent Journalism in the Western Balkans and Turkey II’.

​​Fake news and well-planned disinformation campaigns have affected elections in both established and emerging democracies recently, undermining international responses to crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflicts worldwide. Disinformation and fake news are a global problem that has recently affected Western Balkan nations as well.

Fake news is spreading more widely on social media as a result of the conflicts taking place currently, as nations aim to gain more sway over one another in the area. Aside from the conflicts, regional media outlets have taken advantage of any chance to disseminate false information, especially when it comes to the dynamics among the Western Balkan nations.

As one of the only media organisations in Kosovo that is part of the International Fact-Checking Network, the mission of BIRN Kosovo is to extend its fact-checking policies and knowledge to other national and regional media outlets.

This training course will help tackle fake news and unverified reporting by helping journalists learn how to spot fake news and provide verified information that adheres to journalistic standards. The knowledge delivered will be of a practical nature and will draw on the unique experiences of journalists who have successfully developed such skills in similar environments.

BIRN will invite different regional and international media professionals to administer the training course and share their knowledge and experience with the participants. 

Note:

Following the training, participants will have the opportunity to be part of a Fellowship Program for writing articles on cross-border investigations and fact-checking.

 Who can apply?

Final-year journalism students, recent graduates, and young and professional journalists from the Western Balkan countries including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

How to apply?

All applications should be submitted in English before September 15, 2024, at midnight Central European Time to [email protected] along with the following documents:

• Applicant’s CV
• Motivation Letter (up to 500 words)

Applicants who do not have any published work can submit their student assignments from practical courses in journalism. The motivation letter should provide information regarding the applicants’ opinion and knowledge on the topic and should not exceed 400 words.

Location:

The training will take place in Kosovo. Details regarding the specific location, agenda and accommodation will only be provided to selected participants.

Deadline for applications: 12:00, Central European Time, on September 15, 2024

Date of the training course: 11-13 October 2024

Remarks:

Travel costs and accommodation will be covered by BIRN.

The workshop addressed the current situation with terrorism and violent extremism in Kosovo, the National Strategy for Preventing and Countering Terrorism, and the principles of strategic communication including the role of members of the referral mechanism in addressing and working with PVE and R&R topics in Kosovo.

Eight participants, five of them women, attended the workshop to discuss the national strategy, action plan and strategic communication.

Lead trainer Kreshnik Gashi, Managing Editor of Kallxo.com, gave an overview of the current situation with PVE and R&R in Kosovo, giving a historical background that included the role of disinformation and propaganda among citizens, which later resulted in hundreds of Kosovo citizens joining foreign conflicts.

He continued by explaining the role of the national strategy and its strategic communication among officials, emphasising that officials who work on this topic must have sensitivity and confidentiality and find correct ways of defining and addressing a specific group.

The participants posed questions about the impact of ethnonationalism and right-wing ideologies and the concrete role of the referral mechanism as a chain of actions in which all the members of the team should be clear on their roles and contribute actively.

This workshop was part of the “Resilient Community Programme” founded by GCERF.

This initiative, organized by USAID’s Justice Activity in Kosovo in collaboration with BIRN Kosovo, focused on equipping participants with the skills needed for accurate, fact-based reporting.

The program commenced at the Palace of Justice with insightful remarks from key figures including the President of the Judicial Council of Kosovo and the President of the Basic Court in Prishtina. They highlighted the pivotal role of journalists in upholding the integrity of judicial reporting. The session was moderated by a well-known local journalist.

Throughout the five-day course, participants engaged in a rigorous curriculum aimed at deepening their understanding of the justice system. Key components included:

Institutional Visits: Participants toured significant judicial institutions, such as the Basic Court of Prishtina and the Kosovo Judicial Council, to gain direct knowledge of legal procedures and administrative functions.

Misinformation Identification: Sessions focused on recognizing and addressing common disinformation narratives. Experts explained how misinformation is funded and propagated within the justice system.

Fact-Checking Standards: The program provided practical training on international fact-checking standards and advanced search techniques to enhance the accuracy of reporting.

Technology and Disinformation: Discussions covered the role of technology in spreading disinformation and how to leverage tech tools for more reliable journalism.

Data and Reporting: Participants learned about data verification practices and how to handle disinformation related to civil and commercial cases. They also explored how to report on sensitive issues such as domestic violence and judicial performance.

The final day of the Summer School included sessions on navigating open data platforms and ensuring the protection of personal data. This comprehensive training aimed to bolster the participants’ ability to report accurately and responsibly on complex justice-related issues.

This Summer School brought together journalists from various media outlets and NGOs, fostering a collaborative environment that promotes higher standards of journalism. The skills and knowledge gained are expected to enhance the quality of reporting and contribute to greater public trust in Kosovo’s justice system.

In conclusion, USAID’s Justice Activity in Kosovo’s Summer School has successfully empowered journalists with the tools to combat misinformation and improve the accuracy of justice reporting. By addressing the challenges of disinformation and enhancing fact-based reporting, this initiative plays a crucial role in fostering transparency and accountability within the justice system.

The report finds significant shortcomings, particularly in the Judicial Council and State Prosecutor’s Office, which lacked centralized platforms for archiving war crimes cases. Many institutional publications and political speeches predominantly mentioned victims of one ethnicity, neglecting others. This study identified deficiencies in Kosovo’s institutional approach to transitional justice and historical memory.

The panel discussions which consisted of representatives from institutions, international organisations and civil society, were followed by comments and questions by a very active and interested audience which was very keen to delve more in details regarding the data produced by this report.

Among many things discussed and on the importance of such reports in the field of transitional justice and its processes in Kosovo the Minister of Justice – Albulena Haxhiu noted that “there has never been any documentation of war crimes in Kosovo and as a result today when we talk about war crimes there are different reports that speak with different statistics”.

Recommendations from the report include establishing comprehensive databases of war victims, reviewing and standardizing online content, and enhancing transparency in judicial processes, including archiving trials from UNMIK and EULEX. The report also emphasized the need for structured and validated databases, standardized publication practices, and improved transparency in documenting and archiving judicial processes related to war crimes. The report underscored the importance of inclusivity and accuracy in historical narratives and memorialization efforts across Kosovo’s public institutions.

This event was attended by 82 participants of whom 38 were women. The participants came from different backgrounds including victim groups, practitioners, public officials, representatives of diplomatic missions, members of civil society, students, activists, and youth.

This activity falls under the project ‘Dealing with conflict legacy in Kosovo’, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office through the British Embassy in Pristina and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and implemented by BIRN Kosovo.

To download a copy of the report in English, click here.
To download a copy of the report in Albanian, click here.
To download a copy of the report in Serbian, click here.

Six participants, three of whom were women, took part in this workshop. The first session, presented by Iliria Kajdomqaj, Projects coordinator at BIRN Kosovo, began with an introduction to the field of transitional justice and a deeper examination of its major concepts and principles contextualizing it with the global perspective of case studies such as East Timor, South Africa, Rwanda, and the Balkans. The session continued with the political and historical context of the conflict in Kosovo.

The second session focused on the importance of memorialization with an emphasis on the museums, memorial complexes, revision of history books, curriculua and cultural exchanges, presented by Kreshnik Gashi, managing editor at Kallxo.com.

The workshop covered the integration of approaches and perspectives from disciplines such as Law and Political Science and sensitivities and complexities were emphasized.

A significant part of the workshop involved analyzing the proposed research topics of the grantees, offering initial comments and suggestions on their research direction to maximize the outcome of the final papers.

Also present at the workshop were Vehbi Selmani and Teresa Lazzaroni Andina, representatives from UNDP. The grantees were active in discussions, sharing their perspectives and experiences related to the topic. The presentation and subsequent discussions served to enhance their knowledge of this topic, resulting in a more informed group of individuals by the end of the session.

This activity falls under the project “Dealing with conflict legacy in Kosovo”, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office through the British Embassy in Pristina and the United Nations Development Program, UNDP, implemented by BIRN Kosovo.

Intending to increase public trust in the justice system in Kosovo, the Activity initiated the Fact-Checking project. This project combats misinformation and disinformation about the justice system while educating the wider public on the impacts of false information and the importance of factual reporting.

The Activity invites all Kosovo journalists to be part of the summer school on misinformation within the justice system, which will take place on July 18-22 2024.

Through training by professionals, lectures, and public discussions with the justice system practitioners, the program envisages participants to become equipped with the knowledge and skills to report only based on facts and not fall prone to mis/disinformation.

The program will equip the participants with the necessary skills to fact-check and identify sources of financing disinformation.

The program will include various speakers and trainers who will share insights on various elements of civil legislation in Kosovo.

The program will include field visits, including visits to courts, archives, and different institutions of the justice system.

The program will be hosted by professional fact-checking editors of BIRN Kosovo.

Organizational details: The costs of accommodation and transport shall be covered for all participants.

Who can apply:

Journalists, digital media reporters, media professionals, fact-checkers, and media lawyers who are citizens of Kosovo.

How to apply?

Documents required for the application:

• CV
• Expression of interest of up to 300 words

Applicants should submit their applications with the subject “Application for Summer School on Dis/misinformation within the Justice System” at [email protected]. The deadline for submission is on July 8, 2024.

Date of the Summer School: Based on a training curriculum, the program will be held for five working days from July 18 to July 22, 2024.

Location: The main activities of the program will be carried out in Pristina, however study visits in other municipalities will also be part of the agenda.

All participants will be provided with certificates of participation after attending the whole program for five days.