PRISTINA, 17.03.2021 – The Association of Journalists of Kosovo – AJK in cooperation with the National Democratic Institute – NDI, professors and media leaders, discussed the NDI findings on the coverage of the election campaign by the local medias.
According to the findings published by the NDI, online medias contributed to the divisive language by publishing and in some cases misinterpreting the statements of analysts and politicians, as well as directly attacking political parties and individuals. The use of this harsh language, including physical threats, contributed to political divisions.
The report also noted that social networks spread and created manipulated photos and videos. Content, photos and videos manipulated or fabricated were created and distributed in order to distort political figures or allude to corrupt affairs related to the candidates’ certification process.
Another finding by the NDI, was the phenomenon of misogyny. Online media and social networks published and disseminated inappropriate content for women candidates during this period.
The opening of the discussion “Redefining the role of journalists in political communication” was made by Ambassador Nancy Soderberg – Senior Resident Director of NDI in Kosovo. Ambassador Soderberg talked about the importance of information’s integrity.
“Kosovo’s democracy is based on the integrity of information, as a crucial fact that enables citizens to have adequate knowledge of politics and public affairs and to be held accountable by the government, based on accurate information.”
The President of the Board of AJK, Gentiana Begolli Pustina, assessed that given the current state of journalism in Kosovo, especially online media, the engagement of media leaders, civil society and the international community is seen as a necessity in order to further the professionalization of journalists, to regain trust in the media.
More than 20 journalists of central and local medias, discussed with the panel consisting of Kreshnik Gashi, Editor-in-Chief at kallxo.com and author of the show “Justice in Kosovo”, Muhamet Hajrullahu, Editor-in-Chief at Telegrafi.com, Tatjana Lazarevic, Editor-in-Chief at Kossev and Abit Hoxha, Researcher at Adger University in Norway.
