Artificial intelligence-generated videos, disguised as authentic media reports, have begun to circulate massively on social networks in the run-up to the June 7 elections in Kosovo. Through the use of “deepfake” techniques, these materials simulate real interviews with citizens, using media logos, public spaces and synthetic audio to create the impression of authenticity.
Such content has been distributed by Facebook pages such as “Gazeta Bota” and “Peja LIVE”, where in some cases AI-generated characters appear making political statements about figures and electoral developments in Kosovo. Although the videos at first glance look like ordinary television news or Vox Pop, analysis of the visual and audio elements shows that they are fabricated.
These materials use synthetic audio and video, simulating real media microphones, public settings, and political statements, in order to appear like credible television reporting.
Fake interview with the "Ekonomia Online" logo
One of the videos published by the site "Gazeta Bota" on May 13, shows a woman in a black coat speaking in a square with the inscription "PRISTINA" in the background. The video includes the following statement:
"Albini on June 7th called his place here. Digitron is for the opposition, Vjosa has been on Debat Plus as an analyst since June 8th."
However, visual analysis shows that the video is artificially generated. The logo of the “Ekonomia Online” agency is placed on the microphone, while other background elements do not match the real location. The lip-syncing and facial movements display typical characteristics of “deepfake” content.
This manipulative material has garnered a wide audience, reaching over 8.4 thousand likes, 908 comments, and 424 shares, which shows the speed with which it spreads.
The fake “official” at Pristina Airport
Another video shared by "Peja LIVE" page on May 14, depicts a woman dressed as an official, sitting behind a table with the "Prishtina Airport" logo, while in front of her is a microphone with the RTK logo.
The video claims that President Vjosa Osmani “will work as an analyst after June 7.” However, the footage contains obvious AI-generated elements, including unnatural facial movements and visual inconsistencies in the environment.
The video has managed to amass 1.2 thousand likes, 178 comments, and 179 shares in a short time, leaving room for a significant portion of the audience who has taken the content for granted to be manipulated.
Fabricated interview in the square
Another video, also published by "Peja LIVE", on May 15, is titled: "Citizen's Choice: Here's Who Will Win the Elections in Kosovo!".
The footage shows a woman speaking into a microphone with the RTK logo, with the Skanderbeg statue in Pristina in the background. The AI-generated character declares that Albin Kurti will win the elections.
The footage contains common signs of AI manipulation, such as inaccurate lip syncing, frozen facial expressions, and unnatural facial movements.
This video has reached 1.8 thousand likes, 215 comments, and 177 shares, demonstrating the alarming increase in attention and clicks that these pre-election deepfakes are receiving.
Why is this content dangerous?
Such videos are problematic because they have the potential to directly influence public perception, spread inaccurate information, and serve as instruments for manipulation in the political and social spheres.
One of the main elements of manipulation is the use of real media logos on microphones or in visual graphics. Media names such as RTK or “Ekonomia Online” are used to give the video a professional look and create the impression that the material was produced by a real editorial office.
The public tends to trust visual elements associated with professional journalism, making it easier to spread misleading content.
Sites that publish such material often have no identifiable editorial staff, do not publish information about authorship, and do not indicate who is behind their administration. In many cases, users consume the content without verifying the original source or the authenticity of the video.
This situation risks damaging trust in professional media and creating informational confusion during election campaigns.
On the eve of the elections, citizens are recommended to show increased caution towards sensational videos on social networks, to verify whether interviews are also published on the official websites of the relevant media, and not to rely solely on logos or the professional appearance of materials circulating online.