Three media organizations in Kosovo—BIRN Kosovo, Internews Kosovo, and the Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK)—have launched the “Media Integrity and Disinformation Tracking” (MIDwatch) project to combat disinformation. Officially inaugurated at the Reporting House, the initiative aims to enhance media integrity through research, policy recommendations, and training for journalists and institutions. Jeta Xharra, director of BIRN Kosovo, highlighted the significant threat of disinformation in the Western Balkans, especially during elections, emphasizing the need to empower investigative journalists and train public officials to promote credible information.
UK Ambassador Jonathan Hargreaves endorsed the project as essential for protecting democracy, acknowledging the widespread impact of disinformation on trust within societies. Discussions at the launch addressed the role of AI in amplifying fake news and the urgency of media literacy education to help citizens discern credible information. Leaders in the field stressed that disinformation poses a serious threat to national security, requiring a coordinated response and a more robust media framework.
The MIDwatch project will also analyze how disinformation spreads and produce documentaries to raise awareness. The initiative seeks to create alliances against falsehoods, highlighting the need for transparency about media ownership and funding in the fight against disinformation.
