Jacob Wallis from the Australian Institute for Strategic Policy said in an interview with Radio Free Europe that there is evidence that states are using paid groups on social networks - which mainly spread disinformation - in order to extend their influence.
Wallis, head of the Information and Disinformation Operations Program in Canberra, mentioned that Kosovo, along with Albania and North Macedonia, were involved in spreading disinformation in the 2019 federal elections held in Australia.
He says that one of the reasons why such activities take place in countries like Kosovo is the financial motive and little opportunity for the people involved in these activities to engage in something bigger.
For this reason, he believes that governments should work with these groups to encourage them to direct their capacities towards something more creative.
According to him, governments should cooperate, not antagonize, social media platforms, because as he emphasizes, societies benefit from such a collaborative environment.
(Full article at Radio Europe Free in Albanian language)