Prepared by: Festim Rizanaj
During the period January 12–17, 2026, the media and social networks in Kosovo were dominated by disinformation.
The disinformation was published mainly on social networks (X and Facebook) and online portals. The main topics are related to security and interethnic tensions (false claim of arrest of Serbs by Kosovo Police), Kosovo-US relations (false claim of resumption of strategic dialogue), as well as domestic political developments (misinterpretation of a personal opinion as an “official message from the US” to Vjosa Osmani).
During this period, a fake news story circulated on social networks such as X, Facebook and Instagram claiming that Denmark had withdrawn its recognition of Kosovo and had apologized to Serbia. The content was initially distributed by an account on X and presented in the form of an image with the CNN logo, creating the impression of a credible source, but after verification it was confirmed that it was disinformation. In parallel, SMS scams were also identified, where citizens were sent fake messages about blocking bank accounts, with the aim of defrauding and stealing personal data.
Similarly, manipulative claims were shared on Facebook regarding the increase in the price of bread to 70 cents, without clarifying that it was only a specific chain of bakeries in Pristina. This lack of context created misunderstandings and fear among the public, being misinterpreted as a price increase throughout Kosovo. Clickbait headlines also appeared during this period, such as the article about the payment of 350 euros to host families, where it was not clarified that the decision was made only at the municipal level, specifically in Obiliq.
Meanwhile, a shooting incident in Deçan was used to spread conspiracy theories, interpreted without evidence as an ethnically motivated incident. This narrative was promoted by the Serbian List and the Office for Kosovo in the Serbian Government, although Kosovo authorities treated the case as an individual criminal offense and not an interethnic attack.
Fake news
On social media X, Facebook and Instagram, on Sunday, a post (image) in the form of an article circulated, the title of which reads “Denmark withdraws recognition of Kosovo, apologizes to Serbia”. This post bears the logo of the multinational news television in the US, CNN. Initially, this post was published by the account named “Boris Malagurski” on X, and was later distributed by other accounts on this platform such as “Igor Lopatonok”, “gvanopdorp” and “Plenipotentiary”. After fact-checking by hibrid.info, it was confirmed that this post is false. (here)
disinformation
The X profile, “Serbian Spirit”, claimed that on Orthodox Christmas Eve, the Kosovo Police arrested a group of Serbs. This claim is baseless, since no credible media outlet, not even the Kosovo Police, had any report on this alleged event. The only case reported that day, January 6, in local Serbian-language media was the detention of a group of Serbs by the Kosovo Police, but they were not arrested, nor were any measures reportedly taken against them. (here)
An image is published showing Donald Trump, the president of the United States of America (US), and Albin Kurti, the acting prime minister of Kosovo, with the caption “Strategic dialogue with Kosovo resumes”. The image also has the tag “DASH – SHBA”, which implies that it is about the resumption of the strategic dialogue between the US and Kosovo. This content was published on Tuesday (January 13) on Facebook, by a page called “Gazeta Minuti”. In September 2025, the US announced the indefinite suspension of the planned Strategic Dialogue with Kosovo. However, after this decision, there is still no decision that this process has resumed. (here)
The information portal “Botasot.info” published on Tuesday (January 13) an article titled “Strong message from the USA: Without Vjosa Osmani as president, Kosovo risks losing its historic moment”. The title claims that there is a “strong message from the USA”, which hints at an official American position, but after reading the article, no statement by any official or institutional position from the United States of America can be found. The content of the article is based on a statement by publicist Hafiz Shala, a member of the Executive Board of the Albanian-American Civic League, who expressed his personal opinion on the importance of Vjosa Osmani’s re-election in the current geopolitical context. However, the quote used in the title was not said by him either. (here)
Lies
SMS messages have been sent to phone users, the content of which states that from a certain date (usually the date the message was sent), they will not be able to use their bank account. Therefore, in this phone message, through an attached link, users are asked to activate the update as soon as possible. In both examples that hibrid.info possesses, the sender of the message has a phone number with the prefix +386, which belongs to Slovenia. Based on the research conducted by Hibrid.info, it was found that such SMS messages are fraudulent. (here)
Manipulation of facts
The claim on Facebook that the price of bread has increased to 70 cents is unclear and misleading. The posts were published only as photo news, without articles, without clarifying that the claim of “BuletiniEkonomik” speaks of an increase in the price of bread only for the “Milenium Bakery” bakery chain in Pristina. The lack of this clarification is noticeable in the comments on the posts, where a misunderstanding has been created among readers who have believed that this is about a price increase throughout Kosovo. (here)
Conspiracy theory
Three people, one Albanian and two Serbs, were injured in a shooting at a bar in Deçan after midnight on Tuesday. In this case, the police have arrested a suspect, a Kosovo Albanian, seized the weapon and launched an investigation for “causing general danger” and “serious bodily harm”. However, this case has been unfoundedly interpreted by the political entity of Kosovo Serbs, the Serbian List, as well as by the Office for Kosovo in the Government of Serbia, as ethnically motivated, linking it to, according to them, “years of building an anti-Serb atmosphere promoted by the ‘regime in Pristina’, through public appearances, political messages and lack of responsibility for attacks on Serbs”. (here)
Clickbait
An article titled “Decides: 350 euros per month for foster families of children without parental care” is published. This content was published on Thursday (January 15) on the “mediafokus.info” portal. The title of the article “It is established: 350 euros per month for foster families of children without parental care.” is potentially misleading, because it does not indicate that the decision was made at the local level, specifically by the Municipality of Obiliq. (here)