Tag: Kosovo

Produced as part of the EU-funded project “Unveiling the Truth: Combating Monoethnic Journalism and Advocating for Missing Persons in Kosovo,” the documentary highlighted the lasting impact of war crimes on families and communities across Kosovo and included stories and testimonies coming from the families of missing people from the Municipalities of Gjakova, Rahovec and Malisheva, from activists and representatives of institutions that deal with the grievances of the past in Kosovo.

A public discussion followed the documentary screening, making this event part of a broader series of public discussions on transitional justice and missing persons in Kosovo. According to the data and testimonies presented, this region was one of the most badly destroyed regions in the country, with the highest number of victims, property damage and other losses. This discussion was moderated by BIRN Kosovo Executive Director and journalist Jeta Xharra.

Panelists included Ilir Morina, from the Special Prosecution, Arsim Gerxhaliu, from the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Teki Bokshi, a lawyer, Selami Hoti, an activist, and Kreshnik Gashi, from KALLXO.com.

Ilir Morina informed the audience that the State Prosecution has conducted dozens of investigative activities in the region and an indictment is currently taking place. Arsim Gerxhaliu raised a concern that during his long career in this field he has encountered many family members who had paid a lot to supposedly receive information about the fate of their missing, which turned out only to be schemes for profit coming from individuals and small interest groups unrelated to the matter, using the pain of family members for their own profit. Lawyer Teki Bokshi said the actual number of missing people in Kosovo (1,560) serves as proof that state institutions failed to resolve this matter, 27 years after the war ended in Kosovo.

Selami Hoti, a lifelong activist from the Krusha region, called for more institutional support for the families of missing people. Kreshnik Gashi from KALLXO.COM emphasized the crucial importance of information sharing in this process.  All the panelists and participants urged the political level to do more.

The event was attended by 63  participants, 41 of whom were women. Participants included representatives from local authorities in the Municipality of Gjakova, civil society activists, victims’ associations and students

This event was organised in the framework of “Unveiling the Truth: Combating Monoethnic Journalism and Advocating for Missing Persons in Kosovo”, a project funded by the European Union.

Produced as part of the EU-funded project “Unveiling the Truth: Combating Monoethnic Journalism and Advocating for Missing Persons in Kosovo,” the documentary highlighted the lasting impact of war crimes on families and communities across Kosovo and included stories and testimonies from the families of missing people from the municipalities of Prizren, Suhareka, Dragash and Mamusha and from representatives of relevant institutions addressing the grievances of the past in Kosovo.

A discussion followed the documentary screening, making this event part of a broader series of public discussions on transitional justice and missing persons in Kosovo.

According to the data presented, 1,560 persons remain missing in Kosovo, including 280 people from this region. This discussion was moderated by BIRN Kosovo Executive Director and journalist Jeta Xharra and included representatives from Kosovo institutions and civil society organisations involved in the process.

Panelists included Ilir Morina, from the Special Prosecution, Kushtrim Gara, from the Government Commission on Missing Persons, Ditor Haliti, from the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Agron Limani, an activist from the Krusha region, Aleksandar Rapajic, ACDC, and Kreshnik Gashi, from KALLXO.com.

The panelists highlighted the importance of accountability and overall cooperation for the broader transitional justice process in Kosovo. Information sharing by the families of missing persons throughout the process is crucial, especially given that some family members in the Prizren region refuse to provide any DNA data to the relevant authorities.

IML representative Ditor Haliti emphasized the importance of information sharing, especially coming from the families of missing people which, for any piece of information they possess, should approach Kosovo institutions.

All the panelists highly evaluated the impact of such activities conducted by BIRN Kosovo and ACDC since they serve also as a joint call to all communities in Kosovo to come together and do their part, also calling for the political level to do more.

The event was attended by 93 participants, of whom 63 were women. Participants included representatives from local authorities in the Municipality of Prizren, activists, members of academia, students, and family members of persons missing from the war.

This event was organised in the framework of “Unveiling the Truth: Combating Monoethnic Journalism and Advocating for Missing Persons in Kosovo” project, funded by the European Union.

The training, moderated by Kreshnik Gashi, aimed to contribute to improving the quality of journalism and public-interest reporting on energy-related issues in Kosovo.

Sessions focused on strengthening journalists’ capacities for professional, fact-based and safe reporting on the energy sector through discussions on the functioning of Kosovo’s energy system, key sector challenges, reporting on electricity theft, whistleblower protection and identifying disinformation campaigns related to energy issues.

The sessions were delivered by experts and professionals from the energy and media sectors. They included Avni Alidemaj, Chief Operations Officer at the Kosovo electricity distribution company, KEDS, Margarita Rashiti, spokesperson of KESCO, Naim Krasniqi, editor at KALLXO.com, Alush Mexhuani, Director of the Operational System at KEDS; Visar Prebreza, Managing Editor at BIRN Kosovo and Drenusha Gashi, SCADA Manager at KEDS.

Participants also discussed journalists’ safety while reporting in the field, electricity tariff regulation processes and the modernization of the energy network through SCADA technologies.

The training gathered a total of 20 participants, of whom 11 were women.

As part of a broader series of public discussions on transitional justice and missing persons in Kosovo, BIRN Kosovo organised a documentary screening and a town hall debate on May 12 in the Municipality of South Mitrovica.

This debate brought together institutional representatives, journalists, family members and citizens to discuss ongoing challenges to the search for missing persons and the role of transitional justice within the region of South Mitrovica and North Mitrovica.

The debate was preceded by the screening of a documentary produced by BIRN Kosovo that addresses the stories of persons who disappeared during the Kosovo war through testimonies from family members still searching for answers about the fate of their loved ones from both Albanian and Serbian communities.

Produced as part of the EU-funded project “Unveiling the Truth: Combating Monoethnic Journalism and Advocating for Missing Persons in Kosovo,” the documentary highlighted the lasting impact of war crimes on families and communities across Kosovo.

The discussion that followed was moderated by BIRN Kosovo Executive Director and journalist Jeta Xharra and included representatives from Kosovo institutions and civil society organisations involved in the process.

Panelists included Ilir Morina, from the Special Prosecution, Kushtrim Gara, from the Government Commission on Missing Persons, Gjyla Haziri, from the Association “Voice of the Parents”, Dushan Radaković, from the Advocacy Centre for Democratic Culture (ACDC), Arsim Gerxhaliu, from the Institute of Forensic Medicine, and Kreshnik Gashi, from KALLXO.com.

The search for missing persons from the Kosovo war remains an ongoing and deeply emotional process, particularly in the Mitrovica region, which institutions continue to treat as a priority area.

Prosecutor Ilir Morina revealed that 32 excavations were carried out during the past year alone, including six in the Mitrovica area, based on information received from the Kosovo Police, stressing that every piece of information shared by citizens could help uncover the fate of the missing. Around 100 persons from Mitrovica are still listed as missing.

Family advocate Gjyla Haziri underlined that relatives continue to live in constant uncertainty and waiting, while Dushan Radaković criticized the politicization of the issue, arguing that the pain of families is too often overlooked.

There were 54 participants attending the event, including 29 women. Among them were representatives of local authorities, municipal assembly members, civil society activists, media professionals, family members of missing persons in Mitrovica, citizens and students.

This event was organised in the framework of the “Unveiling the Truth: Combating Monoethnic Journalism and Advocating for Missing Persons in Kosovo” project, funded by the European Union.

At a public debate on missing persons in Kosovo on May 12 held in the municipality of Drenas, institutional representatives, journalists, family members and citizens discussed the challenges in the search for missing persons and the role of transitional justice within the regions of Drenas, Skenderaj, and Vushtrri.

This event was organised as part of a broader series of public discussions on transitional justice and missing persons in Kosovo.

The debate was preceded by the screening of a documentary produced by BIRN Kosovo, which addresses the stories of persons who disappeared during the Kosovo war through testimonies from family members still searching for their loved ones from both Albanian and Serbian communities.

Produced as part of the EU-funded project “Unveiling the Truth: Combating Monoethnic Journalism and Advocating for Missing Persons in Kosovo,” the documentary highlighted the lasting impact of war crimes on families and communities across Kosovo.

According to the data presented, 1,560 persons remain missing in Kosovo, while 145 people from the Drenas, Skenderaj and Vushtrri region are still unaccounted for.

The discussion that followed the film was moderated by BIRN Kosovo Executive Director and journalist Jeta Xharra and included representatives from Kosovo institutions and civil society organisations involved in the process.

Panelists included Ilir Morina, from the Special Prosecution, Kushtrim Gara, from the Government Commission on Missing Persons, Ahmet Grajqevci, from the Association of Families of Missing Persons, Arsim Gerxhaliu, from the Institute of Forensic Medicine, and Kreshnik Gashi, from KALLXO.com.

They emphasized the importance of keeping public attention on the issue and strengthening accountability and cooperation as part of Kosovo’s broader transitional justice process.

Participants discussed institutional challenges in locating and identifying missing persons, the importance of interinstitutional cooperation and the need for continued support for families still seeking information about their relatives.

The event was attended by 53 participants, of whom 16 were women. Participants included representatives from local authorities in the Municipality of Drenas, civil society organisations, students, media representatives and family members of persons missing from the war.

This event was organised in the framework of “Unveiling the Truth: Combating Monoethnic Journalism and Advocating for Missing Persons in Kosovo” project, funded by the European Union.

As part of activities marking May 9, Europe Day, BIRN Kosovo premiered a documentary “Kosovo’s Path Towards Integration – A Journey Supported by the European Union,” on May 8, highlighting the impact of European Union investments in and support for Kosovo over the years.

The documentary contains testimonies from institutional representatives, civil society actors, media professionals, students and business owners, reflecting on the EU’s contribution to Kosovo’s development. The film focuses on the bloc’s role in infrastructure development and capacity-building across various sectors. It showcases the tangible effects of European Union support for Kosovo’s democratic development, public institutions and broader society.

Around 60 participants attended the documentary launch, including representatives of various institutions, civil society organisations and the media and business community.

The Acting Head of the EU Office in Kosovo, Eva Palatova, described the documentary as a story of resilience and progress.

“This documentary tells a story of resilience, determination and progress. It shows how the European Union has supported Kosovo’s institutions and contributed to improving everyday life. The European Union has been and continues to be Kosovo’s strongest partner and largest provider of assistance,” Palatova said.

She noted that, since 1999, more than 3.7 billion euros have been invested in various sectors in Kosovo, while EU support continues through assistance to the country’s European integration process. According to Palatova, this support extends beyond financial assistance and includes backing for democratic development, independent media, environmental protection and equal opportunities.

Speaking on behalf of the government of Kosovo, Jeton Zulfaj, Kosovo’s Chief Negotiator with the EU, underlined the importance of European values for Kosovo’s future and development.

“Europe Day reminds us of the importance of peace as a precondition for socio-economic prosperity, as well as the importance of shared institutions, cooperation, and solidarity that bring well-being and development,” Zulfaj said during the launch of the documentary.

One of the sectors that has received significant EU investment in Kosovo is the judiciary. Arjeta Sadiku, Deputy Chair of the Kosovo Judicial Council, praised the EU’s contribution to strengthening Kosovo’s judicial system.

“The EU’s contribution has been concrete and multidimensional. One of the most important developments has been the support for the establishment of the Central Criminal Records system,” Sadiku said.

This activity is supported by the EU-funded project “Strengthen the Role and Capacities of Investigative Journalism in Kosovo”, implemented by BIRN Kosovo, the Press Council of Kosovo, and TV Mreza.

This training was focused more on presenting and discussing the current situation with the implementation of the state strategy for preventing and countering terrorism, as well as on strengthening local capacities to address issues and concerns in this field. The session was delivered by Labinot Leposhtica, Legal Officer and Monitoring Coordinator at BIRN Kosovo, and a member of the Working Group for the National Strategy for Preventing and Countering Terrorism, together with Milot Sfishta, Senior Officer for Prevention and Reintegration of Radicalized Persons at the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Leposhtica presented the main pillars of the Strategy and emphasized the crucial role of local communities in early risk identification and grassroots initiatives. Milot Sfishta informed participants about recent developments and central-level institutional efforts to address various forms of extremism.

Participants used the training to get equiped with appropriate information about the Strategy and highlighted the urgency for both levels to do more, especially regarding youth involvement and the influence of the online world, including online gaming and online radicalization. They shared personal experiences with well-known cases in Kosovo and demanded that, besides serving the prison time, repatriated terrorist fighters must be included in programs of rehabilitation and thus be under the scope of the state when it comes to their day-to-day activities, and see if state efforts are being effective and serving the reintegration phase, meaning disengagement from radical ideologies.

This training was attended by 10 municipal officials, of whom six were women.

The training was part of the Resilient and Inclusive Community Program funded by Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), through Advocacy Training and Resource Center (ATRC), and implemented by BIRN Kosovo.

This membership of Reporting House in NEMO places the museum within a wider European network, strengthening its role as both a site of remembrance and a contributor to ongoing discussions on history, memory and journalism. Established in 1992, NEMO brings together national museum organisations representing more than 30,000 museums in over 40 countries.

In its announcement, NEMO welcomed Reporting House as a new member, noting the museum’s focus on the 1998–99 war period and its continued relevance 25 years after the end of the conflict. The museum, developed by BIRN Kosovo and the Prishtina Biennale, combines journalism, photography and media artefacts from the 1990s with contemporary artworks addressing the war’s long-term impact.

Gazmend Ejupi, curator of Reporting House, said for Prishtina Insight, the development reflects both recognition of the museum’s work and a new level of responsibility. He added that joining NEMO places Kosovo’s recent history within a broader European context, enabling comparisons with other museum practices and approaches to memory and the past.

In addition to its exhibition programme, Reporting House is also developing as a platform for research and collaboration with students, scholars and doctoral researchers from Kosovo and abroad. Its archives, documentary materials and artistic programming provide a basis for work on topics related to memory, war, resistance and journalism.

Jeta Xharra, executive director of BIRN Kosovo, notes that the NEMO membership creates opportunities to exchange expertise on museum management and audience engagement. She also highlighted practical needs, calling on members of the NEMO network to support the museum with equipment donations, such as video projectors that may no longer be in use in other European institutions but remain functional and useful in Kosovo.

Since its opening in June 2024, the Reporting House has received more than 20,000 visitors, with a significant share made up of young people attending in school groups despite the museum not being part of the formal curriculum.

The development also underscores the importance of continued support from its donors in sustaining and expanding Reporting House’s work, particularly as it strengthens its international collaborations and long-term educational and cultural programming.

Presented on March 27 in Pristina under the Media Integrity and Disinformation Watch project, supported by the British Embassy in Kosovo, the conference brought together policymakers, media professionals and researchers to confront the scale and complexity of the issue.

At the centre of the event were two reports: Mapping Disinformation: Russian and Serbian Narratives in the Media and Social Networks in Kosovo and The Unstandardized Fight Against Disinformation: A Needs Analysis for Legal and Strategic Changes. Together, their key findings show that disinformation targeting Kosovo is not random, but structured, persistent, and strategically driven.

The Mapping Disinformation report finds that misleading narratives, largely originating from Russian and Serbian sources, are designed to exploit interethnic tensions, fuel insecurity and gradually undermine social cohesion. These narratives circulate across television, online media and platforms like Telegram, increasingly powered by artificial intelligence to scale their reach and adapt across languages. Global crises are routinely repurposed to reinforce false claims, while parts of the local media amplify the problem by republishing questionable sources. The influence landscape is also widening, with actors like China stepping in through Albanian-language content. All of this is compounded by structural weaknesses, limited transparency in media funding, weak editorial controls, and low institutional capacity, creating fertile ground for disinformation to spread.

The legal analysis shows that while Kosovo’s legislation was once aligned with EU standards, it has since fallen behind, particularly in regulating digital platforms and ensuring media accountability. The absence of a national strategy, combined with poor institutional coordination, has resulted in a reactive rather than preventive approach. Public officials and media professionals often lack the tools and clarity needed to respond effectively, while opaque media ownership and weak cooperation with global platforms further delay action against harmful content.

The reports were presented by Kreshnik Gashi, editor-in-chief at Kallxo.com and Visar Prebeza, editor at Krypomerti who emphasized the cyclical nature of disinformation. Gashi noted that much of the content reaching Kosovo audiences originates from Russian state-linked media, only to be republished or adapted locally. Prebeza added that the Kremlin maintains a steady interest in daily developments in Kosovo, consistently reframing them through a disinformation lens.

Labinot Leposhtica, Head of the Legal Office and Court Monitoring Coordinator at BIRN Kosovo, stressed that transparency in media ownership, financing, and advertising is critical to safeguarding the integrity of public information, warning that without it, accountability remains largely superficial.

Addressing the conference, British Ambassador Jonathan Hargreaves highlighted how disinformation is becoming increasingly difficult to detect, particularly with the rise of AI-generated content. He warned that such narratives deliberately target social cohesion, interethnic relations, trust in elections and the credibility of Kosovo’s still-consolidating institutions, slowly eroding stability through continuous and subtle pressure.

Albulena Haxhiu, Speaker of the Kosovo Parliament, said that in today’s fragmented and often unregulated media environment, disinformation is no longer accidental but carefully planned and strategically distributed across multiple channels, frequently without clear authorship or accountability. In such conditions, she noted, institutional responses remain scattered, uncoordinated, and ultimately insufficient.

This conference gathered representatives from Kosovo’s parliament, legal officers, representatives from security and justice institutions, media and civil society. In total, there were 54 participants, 27 women and 27 men.