As part of the project “Building Trust in Media in South East Europe and Supporting Journalism as a Public Good,” (supported by the EU Delegation) organized by Partners Serbia in cooperation with Women in Tech Kosovo, a workshop was held in Pristina on May 20, 2026.

The event brought together journalists, NGO representatives, media professionals, researchers, partners, and freelancers to discuss the evolving challenges facing online media and social media platforms in Kosovo.

The workshop formed part of broader regional efforts to promote freedom of expression and strengthen the role of free, independent, and pluralistic media across the Western Balkans. Through presentations and open discussions, participants examined the growing influence of social media platforms on the distribution of information, the difficulties media organizations face regarding content moderation, and the urgent need for clearer institutional and legal mechanisms that protect professional journalism and the public interest.

Teuta Sahatqija, Director of Women in Tech Kosovo, addressed the rise of hate speech, disinformation, online harassment, and unfair moderation practices on digital platforms.

“These discussions are important because digital platforms are no longer just communication tools — they shape political debate, journalism, access to information, and increasingly influence the development of democracy,” Sahatqija said.

Ana Toskic Cvetinovic, Executive Director of Partners Serbia, also emphasized the global debate surrounding digital platform regulation.

“Digital platform regulation has become one of the key global issues over the past two years. Governments, international organizations, and courts are all discussing how digital platforms should be governed and how large technology companies can be held accountable for what happens online,” she stated, stressing the importance of establishing accountability mechanisms that protect individuals in digital spaces.

The workshop also served as a platform for presenting the Kosovo National Annex, part of a regional study produced by the South East European Network for Professionalization of Media (SEENPM). The study examines social media platform governance and online media regulation in the Western Balkans and Turkey, focusing on existing regulatory frameworks, content moderation challenges, and the impact social platforms have on public access to verified information.

The report presented at the event summarized findings from interviews and analyses conducted with media organizations and professionals across Kosovo. It explored issues related to the functioning of online media, self-regulation challenges, insufficient institutional support for digital media, and the influence of social media algorithms on content visibility.

During the presentation, Gentiana Paçarizi from Kosovo 2.0, who contributed as a researcher for the Kosovo annex, explained that the legal framework surrounding Kosovo’s media ecosystem and its interaction with media freedom had already been extensively analyzed prior to this study.

“The research includes the experiences of 10 media outlets in Kosovo, ranging from the public broadcaster RTK to major broadcasters such as KTV and Klan Kosova, as well as local media. While dependence on social media platforms remains essential for reaching audiences, most media organizations are still unprepared to operate strategically on these platforms — both in terms of human capacities and adapting to constant algorithmic and technological changes,” Paçarizi explained.

According to the findings, the content audiences consume daily on social media is directly shaped by algorithms and platform dynamics. This creates new pressures for professional journalism, forcing media organizations to continuously adapt to technological and platform changes in order to maintain visibility and audience engagement.

Paçarizi also highlighted content moderation as one of the most serious concerns identified in the research.

“Media organizations reported content removals, reduced visibility, account suspensions, censorship of specific topics, and ineffective communication with Meta. In some cases, this has directly affected whether media outlets can communicate with their audiences at all. Even more concerning is the lack of specialized organizations in Kosovo that can support media facing these issues,” she added.

Participants also discussed ongoing developments regarding online media regulation in Kosovo. While audiovisual broadcasters fall under the authority of the Independent Media Commission, online media outlets largely operate outside its jurisdiction and rely mainly on voluntary membership in the Press Council of Kosovo.

Discussions emphasized the need for a more comprehensive approach to online media governance while preserving democratic standards and freedom of expression.

A significant portion of the workshop focused on 13 recommendations emerging from the study. Journalists, civil society representatives, communication professionals, and media experts debated potential reforms and policy approaches.

Among the key recommendations was the drafting of a new law on the Independent Media Commission that would address the findings of Kosovo’s Constitutional Court in 2025 by ensuring legal clarity, proportional sanctions, and institutional independence.

Another recommendation focused on increasing awareness about the vulnerability of the public broadcaster and exploring legal solutions for sustainable financing and independent oversight. Participants stressed that support for public and independent media remains essential at a time when disinformation and economic pressure increasingly affect the media sector.

The workshop also highlighted the importance of investing in dedicated social media staff and professional training to help media organizations better manage content strategies, adapt to algorithms, and strengthen audience engagement. Participants further emphasized the need to improve professional capacities in fact-checking, digital security, and the ethical use of social media platforms.

Beyond the formal presentations, the event created space for participants to share firsthand experiences from their daily work in journalism and communications. Many raised concerns about the lack of support mechanisms for online media in Kosovo and the challenges of communicating with international social media companies.

Attendees contributed practical ideas and recommendations aimed at strengthening professional and institutional capacities within Kosovo’s media sector and improving the governance and use of digital platforms.

The seminar in Pristina represented the second phase of activities under the regional project, following a first series of seminars held last year where draft studies, national recommendations, and risk assessments were presented. Contributions gathered during this phase are expected to support the finalization of recommendations and strengthen regional dialogue on protecting media freedom and promoting professional journalism in the digital era.

Through this initiative, the organizers aim to help create a safer and more sustainable environment for journalists and media organizations across the region by encouraging cooperation between media professionals, civil society organizations, and relevant institutions. The workshop in Pristina once again demonstrated the importance of open dialogue and regional collaboration in addressing the challenges transforming today’s digital media landscape.