Wrote: Fatbardh Dema
The online medium "Kosova-sot.info" on Wednesday (February 25) on its official Facebook page "Kosovo Sot" has published content claiming that the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, has declared: "Let everyone know that if we have to go to the polls, we as Vetëvendosje are prepared in every way.".
What's wrong with this claim?
After clicking in the article link, the content does not contain such a statement from Kurti.
The content presents a statement different from what is claimed in the description of the Facebook post. The article quotes Kurti as saying: "I see no zeal for new elections."
Kurti held meetings a few days ago with the leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Bedri Hamza, and with the leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Lumir Abdixhiku. During these meetings, according to reports, the issue of the president was discussed, among other things. (see here and here)
After the meeting with Abdixhiku, Kurti gave a statement to the media.
He stated that the Vetëvendosje Movement, the party he leads, does not want new elections either, and that this constitutes a common point with the other two major parties (PDK and LDK).
Excerpt from Kurti's statement:
"What makes me optimistic is the constructiveness of the atmosphere in these meetings. The fact that we completely understand each other and at the same time that I don't see any zeal, willingness... of course, in politics we also go through new campaigns, because this is what we do." But I don't see any enthusiasm for new elections.". So, the readiness of course exists, both in the PDK and in the LDK. If we have to go to elections, even Vetevendosje, we will go to new elections, but I do not see any zeal for new elections and this is also something we have in common and these elements make me optimistic that in these few remaining days we will be able to find a solution," Kurti said. (see here)
Hibrid.info searched Google with the keywords "Albin Kurti: Let everyone know that if we have to go to the elections, we as Vetëvendosje are prepared from corner to corner", but in the displayed results no other article was found containing this statement, except for the one published by the “Kosova Sot” Facebook page. (see here)
Why is this content being treated?
As of the writing of this article, the content published by the “Kosova Sot” Facebook page has managed to collect 80 reactions and 117 comments. While based on the readers' comments, it is observed that most of them have taken this content as true. (see here)
Analyze
The online medium "Kosova-sot.info" has published on Facebook a claim that the leader of the Vetevendosje Movement, Albin Kurti, has stated: "Let everyone know that if we have to go to the polls, we as Vetëvendosje are prepared in every way.".
However, after verifying by clicking on the link to the article, it turns out that such a statement is not found in the content. The text quotes another statement by Kurti, where he says that "I do not see any zeal for new elections", emphasizing that neither LVV, nor PDK, nor LDK show any willingness or desire for new elections, although they are prepared if they are held.
A Google search with the keywords of the alleged statement did not yield any source other than the posting of the "Kosova Sot" page on Facebook.
Based on its work methodology, hibrid.info assesses this content as "Disinformation" and "Clickbait".
rationale
"Disinformation" is defined as information content that contains a "mix" of inaccurate sources or even half-truthful attributes, and that is created and/or distributed with the deliberate intention of causing harm. The motive behind the producers/distributors of disinformation content lies in achieving a political, financial, psychological or social goal.
“Clickbait” is considered to be informational content whose title is general and does not disclose the location of the event, context and relevance. Such texts and articles aim to attract the attention of the audience with sensational headlines with misleading consequences, which do not accurately clarify the content of the article. “Clickbait” headlines are mainly made to attract readability in the case of media publications and/or to earn from clicks in the case of commercial publications.