During electoral periods, the role of information becomes even more essential for the functioning of democracy - yet at the same time, it becomes more vulnerable to manipulation. In Kosovo, the 2025 elections demonstrated how easily reality can be distorted through content that appears convincing but is not accurate.
The European Union in Kosovo has played a key role in addressing this challenge, supporting independent media, fact-checking initiatives, and institutional capacity-building as part of its broader commitment to Kosovo's democratic development and European integration path.
In the continuous efforts to better understand this phenomenon, Hibrid.info, supported by the EU in Kosovo, published the report titled “Resilience to Misinformation in Kosovo’s Election Period”, which analyzes disinformation during the local elections and the extraordinary parliamentary elections held between October and December 2025.
This report goes beyond a statistical overview: it provides a clear picture of how information - and often misinformation - shapes public perception at critical democratic moments.

A shared responsibility
The fight against disinformation is not solely a matter of rules or institutional mechanisms.
As the Acting Head of the EU in Kosovo, Eva Palatova, emphasized during the report launch , it requires “a collective effort, strong institutions, independent and responsible media, active fact-checking initiatives, and informed citizens”.
And this is because a functioning democracy begins with reliable information.

Towards a more resilient information space
This report represents an important step toward understanding and addressing disinformation in Kosovo.
It notes that from October to December 2025, Kosovo’s information space was characterized by a high volume of political content. In this regard, the report identifies recurring patterns of misinformation that spread rapidly, particularly on social media.
Out of more than 7,000 monitored publications, dozens of content items directly related to elections, interethnic issues, and external influence in the information space.
What stands out is not only the volume, but the way such content is amplified - often through social media, where a single narrative can be replicated and reach thousands of users within minutes.

From fake news to AI-generated content
The report’s findings show that misinformation during elections is not a new phenomenon, but its forms are evolving.
Fake news and fabricated polls remain among the most common formats. Unverified statements and sensational headlines are frequently used to attract attention and influence public opinion.

However, what distinguishes this period is the increased use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated content. Manipulated videos and images - often perceived as real - are becoming powerful tools for shaping public opinion.
In such an environment, the line between reality and fabrication becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish.

Narratives Originating from Abroad
Another important dimension of the report is external influence in the information space - known as Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI).
The report highlights that certain Serbian and Russian media outlets in Serbian language have used narratives aimed at influencing public discourse and increasing polarization, particularly on interethnic and security-related issues. Within this context, elections have been portrayed as undemocratic processes, casting doubt on the legitimacy of Kosovo’s institutions. Additionally, content has been identified that seeks to influence the electoral choices of the Kosovo Serb community in Kosovo.
This places disinformation beyond a local issue, turning it into a broader challenge for democratic stability and security.
Institutions facing a new reality


The discussion following the report’s launch highlighted a shared reality for institutions: disinformation spreads faster than it can be countered.
Institutional representatives emphasized challenges such as:
identifying anonymous profiles
responding in real time to viral content
regulating a constantly evolving digital space

Yet one message was clear: the solution does not lie in institutional intervention alone. It requires a whole of society response built on cooperation, resilient institutions, free media, education, active fact-checking and informed citizens to safeguard democratic process, strengthen public trust and protect the integrity of the information space.