From the analysis of the monitored content during the period June 29 - July 4, it results that fake news was the most widespread form of misinformation.
During the monitoring period, fake news was identified mainly on the social networks Facebook and TikTok, where fabricated claims related to political and national figures were shared. One of the topics concerned a false quote attributed to Rifat Jashari, according to which he addressed the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, with accusations about his relations with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. The other topic was related to foreign policy and security, where TikTok falsely claimed that US President Donald Trump had called on NATO to accept Kosovo as a member. In both cases, verification showed that these were completely fabricated claims, without any factual basis, which aimed to manipulate public opinion by exploiting topics of high political and national interest.
Disinformation and disinformation/fact manipulation were spread mainly on TikTok and several news portals, dealing with security and economic topics. A video was published on TikTok claiming that three armored vehicles from Serbia had entered Leposaviq during the week and that KFOR had been in pursuit of them. The facts showed that the video was old. Meanwhile, several online media in Kosovo and Albania published articles claiming that a dairy factory had been closed by decision of the Kosovo Government. Verification showed that this claim was manipulative, as the factory had been inspected by the Food and Veterinary Agency, while the decision to temporarily close it was made by the company itself. These cases illustrate the use of disinformation and fact manipulation to create false perceptions on issues of high public interest.
During the monitoring period, cases of unverified content and manipulation of facts were also identified, distributed on information portals and social networks. One of them claimed that traffic lights in Italy and Germany had melted due to extreme temperatures, while verification showed that the images were old and the damage was caused by fires, not by the heat wave. Another case related to articles published by some Albanian-language media, which, through a manipulative title (clickbait), created the impression that NATO had not invited Kosovo to the Ankara Summit in order not to endanger the security of the region. In fact, NATO’s security statement was a general position and did not constitute a justification for Kosovo’s non-invitation, making the title an incorrect interpretation of the facts.
Unverified content
Headlines have been circulating on social media portals claiming that in Italy and Germany there have been cases of traffic lights melting as a result of the extreme heat that has prevailed in recent days. This is a video in which two deformed traffic lights are seen. The traffic lights in the video are not melted by the extreme weather. These are previous cases. The damage was caused by a fire that engulfed a car in Italy and a bar in Germany. (here)
disinformation
“Breaking news: 3 vehicles with weapons from Serbia entered Leposavic this evening, KFOR in pursuit HOW DID THEY ENTER? ” is the description placed on a video posted on TikTok in the early hours of June 30. In about 12 hours since its publication, the video by the account “albinii33” has received more than 260 thousand views, over 3000 reactions and dozens of comments. While the post claims to be about “today’s” events and the introduction of “weapons”, this is not based on facts. (here)
Disinformation / Manipulation of facts
Content is being published claiming that a dairy factory has been closed by decision of the Kosovo Government. Articles with this claim were published on Thursday (July 2) in the media outlets “GazetaBlic.com”, “GazetaTema.net”, “Shqiptarja.com”, “Report-tv.al” and on the dubious portal “infofirst.net”. The claim in the title is not accurate. The factory was inspected by the Food and Veterinary Agency (AUVA), while the decision to temporarily close it was taken by the company itself. (here)
Manipulation of facts / Clickbait
An article titled "NATO explains why Kosovo was not invited to the Ankara Summit: We will not allow the security of the region to be jeopardized”. Texts with this title were published on Monday (June 29) by several Albanian-language media outlets. The title implies that NATO justified Kosovo’s non-invitation with the need not to jeopardize regional security. The statement on regional security was a general stance on NATO’s role in the Western Balkans and was placed in the title after a colon, creating an incorrect cause-and-effect relationship with Kosovo’s non-invitation. (here)
Fake news
An image is circulating on social media platforms Facebook and TikTok with a photo of Rifat Jashari, brother of Adem and Hamëz Jashari, accompanied by the caption that he addressed the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, with the words: "You will pay dearly for hugs and kisses with Vučić from Kosovo, remember." The publications present this quote as an authentic statement by Jashari to Rama. After verification by hibrid.info, it was confirmed that the claim is false. (here)
A TikTok post claims that the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, has called on NATO to accept Kosovo as a member.Exclusive: US President Donald Trump calls on NATO to accept Kosovo as a member", is the caption on a video in which Trump is seen speaking to a crowd. Trump has not made such a statement. Such a statement was not made in the speech on which the claim is based, nor can it be found online that it has ever been made. (here)