The dubious portal "Specialja.com" has published an article claiming, through the title, to present a false statement by the Prime Minister of Kosovo - Albin Kurti.
The title of this article reads “Serbian media in panic: Albin Kurti ultimatum to Serbia to recognize Kosovo”. The title published by this portal is taken from an old news item. In fact, the title is taken from a news item from late July last year (2020), which describes a Serbian media source, who says that the EU will ask Serbia to recognize Kosovo.
"Specialja.com" published the same article today (June 19), but instead of "EU gives Serbia an ultimatum to accept Kosovo", this dubious portal has placed "Albin Kurti's ultimatum to Serbia to accept Kosovo" in the title.
Article published by Specialja.com:
This news, published in Serbian media last year, was in continuation of events in this context, during the meetings in Brussels between former Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić last year. This news, as quoted by Serbian media, is based on diplomatic sources, which state that:
"Serbia will be presented with a proposal for a comprehensive agreement that would mean de facto acceptance of the state, as these Serbian media call it, fake."
Authentic article published in several Kosovar online media:
Analyze:
The article by “Specialja.com”, from the fact check, proves that it has used an old news, sensitive for the audience in Kosovo and the region, by changing the title and losing the context. Knowing the development of recent events, the meetings of the state leaders of the Western Balkans at the “Bërdo – Brijonit” summit as well as the recent meeting in Brussels, this article with a made-up title, within a few minutes of its publication, has started to provoke a reaction on Facebook. Considering that such an article misinforms readers, who have no claim to treat its veracity, hibrid.info decides to assess this article as “Disinformation”.
Reasoning:
A “Disinformation” rating is given to media reporting that contains a “mix” of inaccurate sources or even half-truthful content. This rating will also address reports that have incorrect attributions or headlines that do not reflect the text in terms of information accuracy.