The Local Action aimed to engage both local and regional experts in disinformation, media studies, and geopolitical analysis. The project involved a diverse research team, including Ukrainian journalists residing in Kosovo, to gather insights into how these disinformation campaigns affect local perceptions and public understanding. Approximately 20 individuals were directly involved, including a lead researcher, additional researchers, and external experts. The focus was on conducting interviews, desk research, and collaborating with fact-checkers to identify misinformation themes, especially comparing Ukraine to Kosovo in a geopolitical context. The findings were shared through a report and a closing conference, which reached over 5,000 individuals online.

The target group includes researchers, journalists, media experts, and the broader Kosovan public. Key actions included conducting interviews with Ukrainian journalists, desk research on online disinformation, and ongoing fact-checking reviews to ensure the research remained relevant. Additionally, Ukrainian journalists brought unique perspectives on Russian propaganda.

This project has significantly enhanced understanding of how Russian disinformation narratives shape public perceptions in both Kosovo and Ukraine. The research and interviews helped validate the findings and ensure that the narratives identified are relevant to the community's understanding. The conference further engaged the wider audience, fostering resilience against disinformation.

The conference was available online and was broadcasted live by several media outlets on social media:

Some highlights of the conference are available here:

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The Report: Comparison of Ukraine and Kosovo in Russia’s disinformation narratives

The outcomes of the conducted research are available in the report prepared by the Action for Democratic Society (ADS) / Hibrid.info:

Our experience

One of the main challenges faced was ensuring the participation of Ukrainian journalists while maintaining their anonymity for safety reasons. Additionally, coordinating interviews and managing team schedules proved to be logistically challenging. Nonetheless, the research was completed successfully, with important insights gathered from both local and external experts.

The project successfully compiled extensive research that highlights the similarities between Russian disinformation in Kosovo and Ukraine. The involvement of Ukrainian journalists brought a new depth to the study, and the findings have laid a strong foundation for future awareness campaigns and educational activities. The project’s reach extended to over 5,000 individuals online through the report and conference.

The "Russian Narratives About Ukraine in Kosovo" project has been crucial in shedding light on the manipulation of public perception through disinformation. The lessons learned from this Local Action can serve as a valuable model for similar initiatives aimed at combating disinformation in politically sensitive contexts.

To learn more about disinformation and join the fight against fake news, we encourage readers to explore Hibrid.info’s materials, including the report on this project. Additionally, readers can engage with the Hive Mind’s self-paced courses to gain more insights into fact-checking practices and digital literacy.

Background illustration: Cover illustration from the Comparison of Ukraine and Kosovo in Russia’s disinformation narratives Report, prepared by Action for Democratic Society (ADS) / Hibrid.info