31/10/2025
Mitrovica, 31 October 2025 — The Kosovar Centre for Security Studies (KCSS), in cooperation with Community Building Mitrovica (CBM), organized a roundtable discussion as part of the DISRUPT project — “Disinformation, Radicalization, and the Unpacking of Political Tensions in Kosovo.” The discussion gathered representatives of local institutions, civil society organizations, educators, journalists, and youth from both communities to reflect on how disinformation impacts interethnic relations and social cohesion in Mitrovica and the northern municipalities.
The event aimed to present key findings from KCSS’s recent report, “How Disinformation Fuels Ethno-Political Radicalization in Kosovo,” and to engage local stakeholders in identifying priorities and recommendations for countering the spread of harmful narratives.
Participants emphasized that the most important recommendations were:
Allocating government funding for independent fact-checking organizations to strengthen media integrity and institutional response;
Integrating counter-disinformation measures into Kosovo’s National Security Strategy; and
Appointing a Kosovo Serb as one of the government’s spokespersons and ensuring bilingual communication from public institutions.
The discussion revealed widespread concern about the lack of accountability among online media, with participants noting that even when citizens report false information, there is little to no corrective action. Several participants shared concrete examples of how misinformation spreads through social media pages and community groups, often escalating tensions or deepening mistrust.
It was also noted that older generations remain more vulnerable to disinformation compared to younger citizens, underscoring the need for tailored education and awareness programs.
A strong consensus emerged that Mitrovica and the north of Kosovo should not be instrumentalized for political agendas or propaganda purposes. Participants called on the Government of Kosovo to increase direct consultations with citizens in the north and Mitrovica, and to invest in long-term communication strategies that promote inclusion, transparency, and trust.
