Originally published on Global Voices

Laura Jasper. Photo by Vančo Džambaski, CC BY-NC.

This interview by Elida Zylbeari was first published by Antidisinfo.net as part of the Western Balkans Anti-Disinformation Hub on November 12, 2025. An edited version is republished here under a content-sharing agreement between Global Voices and Metamorphosis Foundation. 

The nature of foreign interference is fundamentally changing. Laura Jasper, a leading expert on Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) from The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS), in an interview for Antidisinfo.net, says that the greatest strategic threat posed by generative AI is the unprecedented speed, scale, and personalization of disinformation campaigns. She highlights that attributing complex attacks is now a matter of probability, not certainty, due to adversaries using proxies and commercial tools. Across Europe and the Indo-Pacific, hostile actors exploit a single, shared vulnerability: a high dependency on commercial platforms coupled with deep societal social trust fractures. Also, Jasper reveals that to measure success, analysts must shift from tracking opinions to verifying real-world behavioral outcomes, the ultimate goal of disinformation. 

Elida Zylbeari (EZ): How is Generative AI fundamentally changing the game for foreign actors? In simple terms, what is the single biggest new strategic threat that AI poses to our democracies right now? 

Laura Jasper (LJ): Put very simply, GenAI poses challenges on the following aspects: 1) speed at which disinformation is disseminated, 2) scale at which it is spread, and 3) how it allows for the ‘personalization’ of messages. Meaning that it becomes easier to tailor messages at a large scale for different target audiences.  

EZ: When you analyze a disinformation campaign, how hard is it to say definitively: “This country or group did it?” What unique information or data do analysts need to confidently attribute a complex attack? 

LJ: The question of attribution is more often one of probability rather than it is a binary/clear cut decision. Therefore we speak in terms of ‘it is likely that’ rather than very matter-of-factly stating with 100 percent certainty that one actor did it. This is because adversaries increasingly make use of  proxies, false flags and commercial tools (including GenAI). It is much more feasible and workable for an analyst to assign confidence levels (e.g., low/medium/high) rather than absolute certainty. There does not exist one specific tool or piece of information that will magically make the question of attribution easier to solve. Assigning probabilities, communicating these and publishing the basis of the evidence that analysts gather is a way we can preserve credibility and also build our knowledge base by sharing this with other parties.  

EZ: HCSS studies FIMI across the globe. What is the most dangerous shared vulnerability that you see in both Europe and the Indo-Pacific that hostile actors are currently exploiting in their information campaigns? 

Laura Jasper, a leading expert on Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI). Photo by Antidisinfo.net, used with permission.

LJ: We have recently published these two studies that you can look at in regard to this question: Building Bridges: Euro-Indo-Pacific Cooperation for resilient FIMI Strategies and FIMI in Focus: Navigating Information Threats in the Indo-Pacific and Europe. 

In these studies we highlight that the main shared vulnerabilities are: high dependency on commercial platforms combined with social trust fractures (polarization, low institutional trust). These are exploited the same way across regions. The most dangerous there is the use of existing social trust fractures which are exploited and amplified by hostile actors.  

EZ: Disinformation aims to change behavior, not just opinions. How do you measure if a foreign campaign is succeeding in the real world? What data shows analysts that a society is truly resilient? 

LJ: Behavior is driven by opinions. For example, someone might have changed their opinion but this change is not visible in the physical world up until the point where the person’s behavior changes due to the change of opinion. For instance, they vote differently or express their opinion in a physical, material manner. Therefore as analysts we look at the changes of behavior since we can see changes in opinion, we can register it and we can thus measure it.    

The question asks for two different sets of measurements: 1) the impact of FIMI campaigns and 2) how well a society can sustain these campaigns.  

For both questions there are a couple of important factors to keep in mind: I will explain on the basis of an example. Disinformation’s real goal is to change behavior, so analysts must first define the specific behavioral end-state they want to measure — for example, reduced voter turnout or increased protest participation. Measuring success then requires clear baselines and counterfactuals to see whether behavior actually shifted after a campaign. Analysts combine quantitative data (polling, mobility, transaction or participation records) with qualitative insights (interviews, focus groups) to link observed actions to exposure. True resilience appears when societies quickly recover from attempted manipulation — when intended behaviors do not materialize or rebound rapidly. In short, effective measurement starts with the end in mind: defining, tracking, and verifying observable behavioral outcomes rather than just opinions.

This answer is mostly derived from this study we did some time ago: Start with the End: Effect Measurement of Behavioural Influencing in Military Operations.

Journalist Elida Zylbeari and Laura Jasper during the interview. Photo by Antidisinfo.net, used with permission.

EZ: When foreign influence falls into a “grey zone” — meaning it’s harmful but not strictly illegal — what is the most effective, non-legal strategic tool governments should use to push back against it? 

LJ: I would strongly advise to not use the word ‘non-legal’ as this suggests that you are operating outside of the law. As such I can thus not answer this question as it would suggest that I am advising how to operate outside of the law.  

In general I believe these tools and the responsibility should not solely be left with the highest level of government. The strength lies in engaging more local actors across borders to build trust within societies. With local I mean community builders, investigative journalists, etc. So I believe this should not solely come top-down from the government but rather be handled on a more granular level throughout the whole of society.  

Originally published on Global Voices

Activists blocking the road to the ski centre on Kožuv Mountain. The placards read “Ecocide is a crime,” “They want to cut Kožuv's veins,” “The people are salvation for the mountain,” and “They want to murder Kožuv Mountain.” Photo by Meta.mk, used with permission.

This article by Antonija Popovska first appeared in Meta.mk on July 14, 2025. An edited version is being republished on Global Voices under a content partnership agreement with the Metamorphosis Foundation.

The announcement of the construction of two small hydroelectric plants on the Došnica River (also called Doshnica) has raised the alarm for environmental organizations and local activists who are currently blocking access. The river is located on Kožuv Mountain (also called Kozhuv) in the southern part of North Macedonia near the Greek border; its source lies below the Zelen Breg (Green Hill) peak, near a ski resort that was never opened. Activists say that in preparation for the construction alone, as much as 1,000 cubic meters of forest have been felled.

It’s a hot July day as the Meta.mk team drives slowly along the road to Smrdliva Voda, the site where a large protest against the construction of the power plants took place on June 29. The landscape is picturesque, full of tall, verdant trees.

Kožuv Mountain and the new dam near village of Konsko. Photo by Meta.mk, used with permission.

A few kilometers away from Smrdliva Voda (Stinky Water), a popular tourist site with hot springs, the team heads towards Asan Cheshma, where there are several parked vehicles and dozens of eco-activists, citizens, and well-wishers from different parts of North Macedonia. People from Delčevo, Skopje, and Gevgelija are all united by a single goal — to oppose any construction on the mountain that would destroy nature and its treasures. They have been firmly positioned at their roadblock, day and night for nearly a month now.

Losing forest

Kristijan Alchinov, a professional beekeeper, apitherapist, and longtime Kožuv Mountain activist, is distressed about the large area of trees that has already been cut down.

Kristijan Alchinov. Photo by Meta.mk, used with permission.

He explains:

Ако дојде, пак, до изградба, ќе треба да се прекопува течението на реката Дошница долж 4 километри, а со ширина од 8 метри. Тоа значи дека целата флора, фауна и ендемичните видови, ќе бидат уништени. Дошница е најчистата река во Македоинја, од која може да се пие вода и е наше богатство и затоа не смее да се дозволи чепкање во нејзината разновидност. Покрај рибите, пастрмката, разновидните ракови, ендемичните мовови, една од најважните видови е медоносната пчела апис мелифера македоника, чие живеалиште е Црвени стени, кој е всушност еден долг предел по течението на Дошница. Тие би биле буквално истребени од нивното живеалиште, а тоа богатство е непроценливо и тоа не може да се мери со ниеден државен, општествен и каков и да е интерес и профит.

If construction were to proceed, the Došnica River would have to be dredged along a four-kilometer stretch and widened to eight meters. This means that all flora, fauna, and endemic species would be destroyed. Došnica is the cleanest river in Macedonia, from which you can drink water, and it is our treasure, therefore its diversity must not be disturbed. In addition to fish, trout, various crustaceans, endemic mosses, one of the most important species is the honey bee Apis mellifera macedonica, whose habitat is Crveni Steni [Red Rocks], which stretches along a long area of the Došnica River. They would be literally wiped out from their habitat, and that wealth is priceless. It is beyond any measure of state, social, or economic interests and profit.

Alchinov and the other activists say they will not back down; will not allow such “malicious projects” to be carried out.

The environment minister should keep his word

Marina Tomova, an activist from Gevgelija connected to the civil society organization Change Makers, says that when they were notified that a truck and tractor-trailer were on their way to the area, they blocked them near Smrdliva Voda.

Marina Tomova. Photo by Meta.mk, used with permission.

“[T]he contractor company came with a tractor with the intention of loading the machines that [were] already on the ground. They said that their permit had been revoked and that they were going to take the machines. But unfortunately, that was a lie. Until the moment the building permit is revoked, we will stay here,” Tomova says. “The Minister of Environment and Physical Planning, Izet Medziti, said that he would do everything for the benefit of the citizens. We are taking him at his word, although the government, unfortunately, decided that the building permit will last until April 2026.” Tomova is determined to remain at the blockade until the end, doing whatever she can to block construction activities at the site.

Eco-activist Risto Kamov says that the protesters have submitted a request to the country's parliament, beseeching the government to respect the international agreements it has signed, which require public consultation with regard to the construction of any projects that threaten the environment:

Врз основа токму на овие договори, во Црна Гора и во БиХ вакви хидроцентрали не се градат од 2022 година. За жал, почнавме со заштитата на Дошница поради мегаломански проект за изградба на хидроцентрали кои сакаат да ја стават реката во цевка на 20 километри, што ќе значи уништување на целиот биодиверзитет и уништување на сите ендемски видови, не само пчелите, пастрмките, туку и други животни ендемични кои ги има само на Кожув планина. Ние бараме да се почитуваат конвенциите бидејќи секаде во Европа се вадат цевките од реките, и се оставаат реките да одат по својот природен тек. Еднаш засекогаш да престанеме со овие девастирачки проекти.

Based on these agreements, such hydropower plants have not been built in Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2022. Unfortunately, we started protecting Doshnica because of a megalomaniacal project to build hydropower plants that want to pipe the river for 20 kilometers, which will mean the destruction of all biodiversity and endemic species — not only bees [and] trout, but also other endemic animals that are only found on Kozhuv Mountain. We demand that the conventions be respected because everywhere in Europe, pipes are being removed from rivers, and the rivers are being left to follow their natural course. Let's stop these devastating projects once and for all.

Katerina Ilijovska, a technologist and activist from Skopje who is connected with the environmental association Yes for Less, was also part of the roadblock:

Живеев во Шпанија, пред неколку месеци се вратив овде. Формирав еко-здружение. Прв пат сум на Кожув и не можам да разберам како луѓето кои се од овој крај не се овде во поголем број. Во Шпанија лани имаа суша поради климатските промени, не можеа да се полеваат јавните површини, имаше рестрикции, немаше вода. Од овде доаѓа тоа дека е важно да ја чуваме природата. Не сме свесни што имаме како богатство. Не сфаќаме колкава важност има планината. Верувам дека ќе успееме да спречиме изградба на објекти. Има многу примери од Црна Гора и Босна, се изгласаа закони со кои се забрани изградба на мали хидроцентрали. Има и документарци со луѓе кои седеле на вакви блокади по 365 дена, и на крај нивниот активизам вродил со плод. И ние верувам дека ќе успееме.

I lived in Spain; I returned here a few months ago. I formed an eco-association. This is my first time in Kožuv and I can't understand how people from this region aren't here in larger numbers. Last year in Spain they had a drought caused by climate change; public areas couldn't be irrigated, restrictions were imposed, there was no water. That’s where the idea of preserving nature comes from. We're not aware of the treasure we have here. We don't understand how important the mountain is. I believe that we will succeed in preventing the construction of [these] facilities. There are many examples from Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, laws were passed that banned the construction of small hydropower plants. There are also documentaries with people who sat on such blockades for 365 days, and in the end their activism bore fruit. We believe that we will succeed too.

The activists stand guard at the mountain around the clock, taking turns to sleep in tents. Well-wishers from different cities come to support them by bringing them water and food.

Roadblock on Kožuv Mountain. Photo by Meta.mk, used with permission.

Although the mayors of the nearby municipalities of Demir Kapija, Gevgelija, and Kavadarci initiated a proposal to declare Kožuv a national park, only Lazar Petrov, the mayor of Demir Kapija, attended the last protest in Smrdliva Voda, despite all three having being invited.

Across the Balkans, various groups of activists have been protesting the construction of more than 2,700 small hydroelectric power plants, which experts say threaten the environment and freshwater sources.

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Originally published on Global Voices

Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia Hristijan Mickoski. Screenshot from the video by the PBS Macedonian Radio Television on the YouTube channel of the government. Fair use.

This article by Olivera Vojnovska was first published by Truthmeter.mk as part of the Counterspin series of analytical and explanatory articles. An edited version is being republished on Global Voices under a content partnership agreement with Metamorphosis Foundation.

Given the increased risk of forest fires during the summer months, North Macedonia faces a shortage of firefighting aircraft, pilots, and other qualified technical personnel. There is also a shortage of firefighters, while the firefighting vehicles and equipment are worn out. However, what is important is that we have identified the culprit for the fires – cows and sheep! This is not a joke, it was the prime minister who was “dead serious” as he explained on national television that there are no cattle to graze the grass in the mountains and that is why we have fires.

Prime Minister of North Macedonia Hristijan Mickoski appeared on the Macedonian Public Broadcasting Service MRT on June 24 on a special show about the anniversary of his administration.  He spoke about the situation with agriculture, livestock farming, the subsidy and support system. Among other things, he said that as a country, we will be dependent on food imports, especially in the meat sector. When he mentioned forest fires, he spun the truth about the causes and measures needed for their prevention:

За жал и тоа една од причините зошто ни се случуваат пожарите, затоа што немаме стока по планините да ја пасат тревата и затоа ни е тревата бујна, а сега ќе се исуши еве топло е и ќе почнат пожарите, сезона на пожари…  Друго е порано, многу стока по планините илјадници, десетици, стотици илјади грла ја пасат тревата и помала е можноста за пожари. Сега бујна вегетација, топло време се суши, мава искра и бувнува пожар.

Тука малце треба да се поработи, но за жал сè помалку луѓе што се занимаваат со сточарство, помалку овчари. Иако е многу добро платена професија две и повеќе илјади евра е месечен надомест за овчарите. Но, сè помалку луѓе се занимаваат со сето тоа.

Така што, лично го следам не дека сега сум сештолог… но логично како претседател на Владата мора да гледате и стратегија да правите… Но во делот на сточарството за жал уште долго ќе треба да бидеме увозници на месо.

Unfortunately, that’s one of the reasons why we have wildfires, because we don’t have cattle in the mountains to graze the grass and that’s why our grass is lush, and now it’s going to dry out; it’s hot and the fires will start, it is fire season. It used to be different, a lot of cattle in the mountains, thousands, tens, hundreds of thousands of heads graze the grass and the possibility of fires is lower. Now there’s lush vegetation, hot weather dries it up, sparks fly and fires break out.

There needs to be some work done here, but unfortunately there are fewer and fewer people involved in livestock farming, fewer shepherds. Even though it’s a very well-paid profession — two thousand euros or more is the monthly salary for shepherds. However, fewer and fewer people are involved in all of that.

So, I personally follow it, not that I’m a know-it-all … but logically, as the prime minister you have to follow and make a strategy… But in the area of ​​livestock farming, unfortunately, we will have to be meat importers for a long time.

Counterspin

In this statement, Prime Minister Mickoski says that wildfires occur because there are not enough cattle in the mountains to graze the grass. One can recognise the spin, and it seems somewhat strange, even funny. Mickoski, as he himself added, is not a “know-it-all(!)” yet, in the interview, he blamed the livestock, cows and sheep, for the fires!

However, contrary to this claim, the most common cause of forest fires in North Macedonia is the human factor — lighting fires, throwing kindling in open spaces, disregarding the ban on movement in forests, and deliberate arson. Furthermore, climate change has a significant impact, including droughts, extremely high temperatures, and strong winds that are atypical for certain regions.

On the other hand, a very important issue is how to extinguish the fires that rage every summer. This year, once again, they will probably not spare us. It is quite worrying how the state will cope with the fire threat when there are not enough firefighters in the territorial fire departments and when the vehicles and equipment are old and dilapidated. North Macedonia does not have enough aircraft, active pilots, neither a training center or interest from young pilots in this profession.

There are still many “no’s” hanging over (un)preparedness of the state to deal with fires. It is certain that it will once again have to rely on international help to fight fires this year:

solidarity in action: , , , & planes, helicopters & crews join partners from in fighting the wildfires. Coordinated through Civil Protection Mechanism. pic.twitter.com/uECzBN2mFv

— EU Delegation to North Macedonia (@AmbassadorEU) August 3, 2024

When North Macedonia was burning last year, it received help from “air tractors” and helicopters from the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Serbia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Turkey, Croatia, as well as from Sweden and Germany, while firefighters from abroad with special off-road vehicles also helped. The situation was similar in previous years.

According to data from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), which is part of the Copernicus Programme, last year in Macedonia, over 94,000 hectares [232,279 acres] burned in 126 forest fires. In percentage terms, 3.6 percent of the total territory of the country burned. EFFIS announced alarming data, according to which last year as much forest burned in North Macedonia as in the previous 10 years combined, when over 400 forest fires burned about 100,000 hectares [247,105 acres].

The most difficult year before that was 2019, when 29,807 hectares [73,655 acres] burned in 135 forest fires. One of the largest forest fires last year was in Mariovo, where 11,000 hectares [27,182 acres] burned, and it was finally brought under control eight days after the outbreak. EFFIS also reported that because of the numerous forest fires last August, the government requested emergency assistance and the EU Civil Protection Mechanism was activated. In response, 10 aerial firefighting teams from six EU member states were deployed to North Macedonia to help the country fight the fires.

Recently, however, the new director of the Protection and Rescue Directorate (PRDM), Stojanche Angelov, who came to this position from the directorship of the Crisis Management Center (CMC), announced that none of the three “air tractor” (Air Tractor AT-802) firefighting aircraft were operational:

Во овој момент во државата нема ниту еден функционален ер трактор, но јас сум оптимист дека набргу ќе ги имаме трите ер трактори заедно со посадите, односно пилотите. Тие моментално се на сервис, постојат одредени би рекол проблеми но верувам дека брзо ќе бидат отстранети и истите ќе бидат вратени во државата благовремено во пресрет на претстојните пожари.

At this moment, there is not a single functional air tractor in the country, but I am optimistic that we will soon have the three air tractors together with the crews, that is, the pilots. They are currently undergoing service, there are certain problems, I would say, but I believe that they will be quickly eliminated and they will be returned to the country in a timely manner in anticipation of the upcoming fires.

Angelov complained that the PRDM faces serious challenges, including a shortage of pilots, problems with servicing air tractors, and a lack of contracts with rapid response teams, especially those for extinguishing open-air fires. In addition, some members of these teams lack adequate equipment, training, and physical fitness. Angelov said:

Инспекцискиот надзор на противпожарната заштита е во лоша состојба, со недостиг на квалификувани инспектори и сомнежи во валидноста на издадените дозволи. Исто така, во ДЗС работат само неколку специјалисти за ракување со неексплодирани минско-експлозивни средства, кои се чуваат на несоодветен начин

Fire protection inspection and supervision are in poor condition, with a lack of qualified inspectors and doubts about the validity of issued permits. Additionally, the Protection and Rescue Directorate has only a few specialists for handling unexploded ordnance, which is stored inappropriately.

At the beginning of June, only one aircraft was returned from regular service, the Protection and Rescue Directorate announced on Facebook.

Thus, in the face of the increased risk of forest fires during the summer months, North Macedonia does not have enough firefighting planes, pilots, and other qualified technical personnel. There is a shortage of firefighters; however, what is important is that we have identified the culprit for the fires – cows and sheep!

Originally published on Global Voices

Illustration by Truthmeter.mk, used with permission.

This article was first published by Truthmeter.mk on May 15, 2025, as part of the Western Balkans Anti-Disinformation Hub. An edited version is being republished on Global Voices under a content partnership agreement with Metamorphosis Foundation.

French accusations of cyberattacks by the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation — the Russian military agency known as GRU — are not the first to come from a Western power. It is, however, the first time Paris has accused Moscow based on its own intelligence.

On April 28, the French Foreign Ministry accused the GRU of continuously organizing cyberattacks on dozens of French entities, including ministries, defense firms, and think tanks, in an attempt to destabilize France.

The ministry said in a statement that GRU unit APT28’s attacks on its country date back to 2015, when the TV5Monde station was disconnected from its signal in a hacker attack. French officials believe APT28, which they say is based in Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia, was behind this attack, even though alleged Islamic State militants subsequently claimed responsibility.

France also accused APT28 of being behind another incident during the 2017 presidential election, when emails related to the party and campaign of the eventual winner, Emmanuel Macron, were leaked and mixed with disinformation:

France condemns in the strongest terms the use by Russia’s military intelligence service (GRU) of the APT28 attack group, at the origin of several cyberattacks on French interests. [This group] has been used to target or compromise a dozen French entities. These entities are working in the daily lives of French people and include public services, private enterprises, as well as a sport organization involved in the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In the past, this group was also used by GRU in the sabotage of the TV5Monde broadcasting station in 2015, as well as in attempts to destabilize the French elections in 2017.

The statement alleged that APT28 attack group is being used to exert sustained pressure on Ukrainian infrastructure in the context of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, and that a number of European partners have also been targeted by APT28 over the past few years. The ministry further explained:

In this regard, EU imposed sanctions on the individuals and entities responsible for the attacks conducted with the assistance of this group.

Alongside its partners, France is determined to use all the means at its disposal to anticipate Russia’s malicious behaviour in cyberspace, discourage it and respond to it where necessary.

Addressing the UN Security Council

According to a report by the French National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI), APT28 has been used to gather strategic intelligence from entities located in France, Europe, Ukraine, and North America.

ANSSI noted that last year there was a spike in the number of attacks on French ministries, local administrations, defense companies, aerospace firms, think tanks, and organisations in the financial and economic sectors. The most recent APT28 attack, they say, was in December. Around 4,000 cyberattacks were attributed to Russian actors in 2024, a 15 percent increase over 2023.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, in an address to the UN Security Council, accused Russia — whose representative was present — of carrying out the attacks. He also demanding their immediate cessation.

Barrot said Russia used a branch of the GRU military intelligence called the “APT28 attack group” — also known as “Fancy Bear” — in its global attacks, including those during the 2016 U.S. election, when Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton’s emails were released. He went on to link APT28's renewed attacks to France’s support for Ukraine ever since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022. During a Security Council debate on Ukraine, Barrot added:

We condemn these cyberattacks in the strongest manner. They are unworthy of a permanent member of the Security Council and against frameworks fixed by the United Nations. They must therefore cease straight away.

France and Russia are two of the UN Security Council’s five permanent members.

As ANSSI stated in its report, the Russian group targets personal email accounts to obtain data and messages, or to gain access to other systems:

Since the beginning of 2023, operators of the APT28 intrusion set have also been conducting phishing campaigns aimed at redirecting UKR.NET and Yahoo e-mail service users towards false login pages, with the intention of stealing their login details. In order to broaden its targeting, this attack technique has, at times, been adapted to deploy false ZimbraMail or Outlook Web Access login pages.

Exposing Russian disinformation

France was one of the main targets of Russian cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns in 2024, mainly due to the European Parliament elections held in June, and consequently, to the ongoing political crisis since the snap parliamentary elections in July. Moreover, the country was also targeted by Russian disinformation campaigns during the Paris Olympics, allegedly in attempts to destabilize the country and weaken the EU and NATO.

The Report on Foreign Information and Manipulation Threats, issued in March 2025 by the European External Action Service (EEAS), the European Union’s diplomatic and foreign policy arm with a mandate to assess global threats, noted:

After Ukraine, France was also one of the primary targets of hostile actors, with 152 cases detected by the EEAS that originated from the Russian and Chinese FIMI ecosystem. The Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games and the French legislative elections were among the main targets.

Previously, in June 2023, France exposed a large-scale Russian disinformation campaign dubbed “Recent Reliable News,” after a pro-Russian website. The aim of this campaign, as reported by the French state agency Viginum, was to undermine Western support for Ukraine and combat foreign digital interference.

According to Viginum’s report, the campaign consisted of spreading pro-Russian content; impersonating popular French media outlets such as Le Monde, Figaro, and Le Parisien, as well as government websites like the French Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs; creating Francophone news websites with polarizing views; and coordinating fake accounts to spread said content.

In February 2024, French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné said that diplomatic services had uncovered a vast Russian propaganda network known as “Portal Kombat,” which was spreading pro-Russian/anti-Ukrainian information in France, Germany, and Poland. At the time, Euractiv quoted a Foreign Ministry press release:

The network of 193 websites ‘clearly constitutes a campaign to manipulate information on digital platforms, involving foreign actors, [and] this campaign is aimed at harming France and its interests.

The ministry presented an analysis signed by the French government, entitled “Russian disinformation: The better we know it, the better we can respond.”

In May 2024, Germany accused APT28 of carrying out cyberattacks on its defense and aerospace companies, the country's ruling party, and targets in other countries. At the time, the Russian embassy in Berlin called the accusations “another hostile step aimed at inciting anti-Russian sentiment in Germany.”

Originally published on Global Voices

Skopje Pride, June 21, 2025. Photo: Meta.mk, used with permission.

This article first appeared in Meta.mk on June 22, 2025. An edited version is being republished on Global Voices under a content partnership agreement with the Metamorphosis Foundation.

Skopje's Pride parade, organized by the National Network Against Homophobia and Transphobia, took place in the capital of North Macedonia on June 21, under the slogan “We stand. We persist. Together!”

As previously announced, instead of the celebration of diversity format used in previous Pride marches, the sixth annual iteration of Skopje Pride took the form of a protest march. This year, there was no stage and no party. Instead, the organizers declared resistance against the negation of the LGBTQ+ community's identity and existence:

Во Скопје во тек е протестот за човекови права „Скопје прајд“, под мотото „постоиме и ќе опстоиме“.@SkopjePride pic.twitter.com/tADP1X5hQw

— META.mk (@meta_agency) June 21, 2025

Participants of Skopje Pride chanting ‘We will persist!’

Prior to the protest, the participants declared their positions through the Skopje Pride Manifesto, which opposes “misogyny and hetero patriarchal demographic hysteria promoted by the highest echelons of government” – including bureaucratic “mishaps” like the two-year pause put on the legislative changes required for recognition of gender – and expresses support for transgender people “who are targeted by orchestrated attack by the anti-gender associations which sow moral panic, fear and hate through anti-science and manipulated information.”

In response to the government of North Macedonia's refusal to support recent UN resolutions calling on Israel to end its occupation of Gaza, the manifesto also expresses support for the people of Palestine.

Skopje Pride 2025. Photo by Meta.mk, used with permission.

The march began at 7:00 p.m. from the Woman Fighter Park in the city center, with speeches warning about the growing movement against democracy, human rights and gender equality. It ended with the chanting of the slogan “Death to fascism; freedom to us, the people.” One of the speakers said:

Потсетуваме дека и во добри и во лоши времиња, заедништвото е најсилната стратегија притив насилнчките, екстремно десни, фашистички коалиции. Заедништвото не е флоскула, туку споделување ресурси, грижа простор и време. Уште повеќе тоа е активна борба за враќање на трудот, знаењето, телото и времето назад од канџите на властодршците што сѐ ни земаа а ништо не ни вратија. Не сакаме асимилациска инклузија во нормите на расистичкиот патријахален, колонолистички и екоциден капитализам, претставен како единствениот можен свет, каде грижата ни се претвори во луксуз, здравјето во привилегија, а слободата во маркетинг-стратегија. Инсистираме на нивно отфрлање.

We remind you that in both good times and bad, togetherness is the strongest strategy against bullying, far-right, fascist coalitions. Togetherness is not a platitude, it’s sharing resources, care, space and time. Moreover, it is an active struggle to reclaim labor, knowledge, body and time from the clutches of the power-holders – those who took everything from us, and gave us nothing in return. We don’t want assimilating inclusion to mold us into the norms of a patriarchal, colonial and ecocidal capitalism. It is presented as the only possible world, where care is turned into luxury, health is turned into privilege, and freedom is turned into a marketing strategy. We insist on rejecting all of those.

Skopje Pride, June 21, 2025. Photo: Meta.mk, used with permission.

After the speeches, several hundred participants marched through the capital carrying a large flag with the colors of the rainbow. The route took the protesters through the streets of Dimitrie Čupovski, Sv. Kliment Ohridski, and Mitropolit Todosij Gologanov, after which they stopped in front of the Ministry of Education and Science.

While there, the mother of a transgender child, in addressing the relevant government minister, demanded that institutions not segregate and discriminate against children with disabilities, and children of different sexual orientations or gender identities:

Не може да ги тргнете ЛГБТИ децата во ресурсни центри како што ги отстранувате децата со попреченост, па ги препуштивте на силеџиството од учениците и наставниците. Директорот на училиштето во кое учи моето трансродово дете јавно се радуваше и ликуваше на трансфобичните политики на Трамп, па ќерка ми го искритикува за изјавите. Наместо да сноси одговорност, вашите политики министерке му овозможија да покажува надмоќ.

You cannot move aside the LGBTI kids into resource centers like you are trying to remove the kids with disabilities, and tolerate the bullying by other students and the teachers. The director of the high school my transgender kid attended publicly gloated after the inauguration of Trump [and the administration's] transphobic policies, and my daughter criticized his statements. Instead of demanding responsibility from him [the school director], your policies, minister, enabled him to assert dominance.

The march then continued along Frenklin Ruzvelt and Ilinden Boulevards before stopping once again – this time, before the Palace of Governance – the seat of the government.

Skopje Pride 2025 in front of the seat of the Government of Republic of Macedonia. Photo by Vančo Džambaski, CC BY-NC.

While walking the streets of Skopje, participants chanted slogans that included “Death to Fascism!” and “Justice for Kočani”, referring to the impunity surrounding the Kočani nightclub fire tragedy.

На протестот „Скопје прајд“, меѓу многите пароли учесниците извикуваат „правда за Кочани!“.@SkopjePride pic.twitter.com/2dpLDm5lNw

— META.mk (@meta_agency) June 21, 2025

Participants of the Skopje Pride protest chanting ‘Justice for Kočani’ among other slogans.

The slogans in support of Palestine included “No pride in genocide; none of us are free until all of us are free,” “Silence = death,” and “Anti-capitalist parade against Christo-fascism.” A dozen or so participants also waved Palestinian flags.

Pro Palestine signs and flags at Skopje Pride, June 21, 2025. Photo: Meta.mk, used with permission.

The presence of leftist activists was visible at the protest, their voices ringing out in the socialist international tradition, in various languages, including Macedonian. One chant, “The people united will not be defeated”, is a translation of the Chilean revolutionary song “¡El pueblo unido jamás será vencido!”

Sign “Death to fascism, freedom to the people!” at Skopje Pride, 21.06.2025. Photo: Meta.mk, used with permission.

By and large, the signs displayed at the protest were diverse. Some portrayed messages like “Love is too beautiful to be hidden,” “Love is immortal, not immoral,” and “Let love live.”

“Will the women survive here?” sign at the Skopje Pride 2025 protest. Photo: Meta.mk, used with permission.

Others, like “Will women survive here?”, “Death to fascism, freedom the the people”, and “We are the new sun of freedom” – a nod to the lyrics of the Macedonian national anthem “Today over Macedonia is born/the new sun of freedom” – addressed issues like threat of violence and the worsening social climate.

Sign “LGBTQ+ аgainst Lithium” at Skopje Pride, June 21, 2025. Photo: Meta.mk, used with permission.

One sign, “LGBTQ+ against lithium,” even expressed solidarity with the people of Serbia as it highlighted the ongoing environmental protests against the Serbian government-approved lithium mining project.

Skopje Pride was part of a series of queer culture-related events taking place during Pride Month, including the Pride Weekend Skopje 2025 festival and a panel discussion aimed at uncovering gender-based disinformation narratives through queer literature.

Originally published on Global Voices

Participants in a silent gathering in Skopje on March 18, 2025, hold a sign reading ‘Your system murdered an entire generation of the future. Kočani, 16.03.2025.’ Photo by Meta.mk, used with permission.

This commentary by Goran Rizaov was first published by Meta.mk. An edited version is republished here under a content-sharing agreement between Global Voices and Metamorphosis Foundation. 

In the early morning hours of March 16, fire engulfed a discotheque called Club Pulse in Kočani, North Macedonia, resulting in the deaths of 59 people and injuring over 150. While the country and the region are still attempting to come to grips with the enormity of the tragedy, the initial investigation indicated that systemic corruption prevented implementation of necessary safety procedures. The government declared a week of mourning; meanwhile, various political forces started a campaign of preemptive silencing of critical voices, targeting independent media and civil society activists.

Последна молитва на моето тело

Црн е твојот ветар, а ноќта бела
и секој дамар напнат од зрелина.
Застани како меч во овој дрворед од тела
пред да се срушиш заслепено од белина.

Но и тогаш играта ќе продолжи пак
со иста таинственост и со иста чедност.
И тие треви што ќе те покријат со мрак
ќе изгорат во пожарот на твојата жедност.

Last Prayer of My Body

Your wind is black and white is the night,
and every vein is swollen and ripe.
In this avenue of bodies, stand straight as a sword
before you collapse, blinded by white.

But the dance even then will continue as ever,
with the same mystery, with the same innocence.
And when those grasses cover you in darkness,
the blaze of your thirst will burn them away.

Aco Šopov, “Last Prayer of my Body,” “Not-Being,” 1963 (Translated by Rawley Grau and Christina E. Kramer, “The Long Coming of the Fire,” Deep Vellum, 2023)

I decided to keep silent. Not to “piffle.” Not to ruffle feathers. To close myself at home, to lock the door, to turn off the lights and not to talk to anyone. To prevent myself from saying something wrong, otherwise they might drag me by the ears from my home.

I decided not to disturb the public with our reporting. To refrain from transmitting emotions. To not make noise. To not make photographs. To not record videos. To avoid “emotionally charged narratives.” To transmit only the official announcements by the authorities. Because the government knows best what is ethical journalism.

I also decided not to ask questions. Why ask questions, why show interest? All the questions have been answered. No need to think. There’s someone assigned to do the thinking for us.

I also decided not to read too much news to prevent harming my mental health. Especially by some so-called media outlets which are not media outlets, and by journalists who are not journalists. No need to stop watching TV now, because I’ve done that a long time ago.

I decided not to call for citizen gatherings against the system, because the system already declared that it fights against the system. The corrupt system. Successfully. If someone else calls for a rally, I should not go, in order to avoid creating crowding, as the police are more needed elsewhere.

I decided to bury in deep silence that “thing unspoken that I carry,” a thing that weighs on me and pains me, and wait for “the silence itself will say it.” I await resignations in silence.

Peaceful gathering at the main square in Skopje on March 18, 2025. Photo by Meta.mk, used with permission.

Subtle pressure for self-censorship

My use of irony is not a sign of disrespect to the families of the victims and injured in the tragedy in the improvised discotheque. On the contrary, the goal is to point out the uninhibited attempts for censorship by the government against the independent and critical media, and the attempts to take control of the narrative and divert public attention.

Since March 17, 2025, Macedonian authorities have shown their true authoritarian and censorious face, especially on the day of the funerals. The government, the regulatory bodies and the associations bombarded the media with announcements trying to prevent them from publishing anything that might be disliked by the political parties in power.

Under the guise of defending professional conduct, hidden among well known standards which are followed by any professional media anyway, the government educated the journalists what they should and what they shouldn’t photograph, what kind of video recordings they should or shouldn’t make, what kind of headlines to put, whether to have emotions or just copy their stark announcements and speeches. Under the guise of countering disinformation, an obstacle to information was erected. In effect we got the result akin to those used by authoritarian regimes attempting to suppress freedom of speech.

This led to a situation of an extremely high level of self-censorship among the Macedonian media. You would be hard pressed to find reporting on the lives of the victims, about their families, relatives, no stories of the common people, about the loss, about the successes, about the hopes and potentials, about their influence on their communities in most Macedonian media. You will not see the sorrow or hear the wailing. Because, you know, that would be too emotional.

Journalism has rules on how to interview families of victims of huge tragedies, and the experienced journalists know these rules. They treat them with dignity and respect, with sensitivity and knowledge of what kind of questions are appropriate, and also when to back down. Professional photojournalists also have their own special approach, which is also unobtrusive and respectful. However, the fact remains that it is extremely important to document such tragedies, to create a public record that would remain in media archives, to leave a trace written in the collective memory.

Unconcealed attempt to control students

A Meta.mk journalist suffered a brutal attack on social media, spreading vicious defamatory accusations that he was the organizer of student gatherings. His photograph was posted in tens of Facebook and Twitter posts alongside calls for his arrest or physical assault on him. The case was reported to the authorities, who have so far not reacted in any way.

The assault campaign took place following the publication on social media of a recording of the Minister of Education and Science Vesna Janevska giving a speech to students on the campus of the Sts. Cyril and Methodius University (UKIM), when they interrupted her with boos. They reacted to her continuing her already long speеch while some students were fainting and those around them were crying out for help and an ambulance. Several thousand university students and high school pupils had gathered on March 17 to pay respects to the victims of the Kočani tragedy. However, instead of a student gathering, the event turned into a badly managed PR event which spun out of control.

Students gathering at Sts. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje on March 17, 2025. Photo by Meta.mk, used with permission.

Only one TV station and several online media outlets published the news that the students booed the minister. Meanwhile, the reactions on social media were a different story. The video clip was published on social media and soon became viral. That evening, a network of political party trolls (called “bots” in the Balkans) activated and started a witch-hunt via anonymous profiles and groups.

Four days later, when the minister finally appeared in public again, not one journalist, not one media outlet asked her how come she appeared at the podium together with the rector to speak at a student gathering, instead of the students. Nobody asked if she would submit her resignation because of the disrespect shown to the students at their moment of grief for their deceased colleagues, for the many young people who lost their lives and the hundreds of injured who still struggle to survive.

In her speech, the minister said many things, and also recited the lyrics from the poem “In Silence” by Aco Šopov. Yes, indeed, silence can sometimes be louder than words in pointing out the truth. But when the government is calling upon the students to keep silent, one can suspect that this is about singing a completely different kind of song.

The ministers’ speechwriter could have chosen some other poem by Šopov, something more appropriate for a student gathering about the biggest tragedy that has struck the youth of this country. “The last prayer for my body” from the poetry collection Not-Being from 1963 would have sounded more realistic on that day. But not with the voice of the minister, but from the voices of the students.

Originally published on Global Voices

Screenshot from the music video for the song “Balkan Boys” by Dubioza kolektiv published on YouTube. Fair use.

This article is based on coverage by Meta.mk. An edited version is republished here under a content-sharing agreement between Global Voices and the Metamorphosis Foundation. 

In just a few weeks, the music video of “Balkan Boys,” the new single of the Bosnian rock band Dubioza kolektiv, reached over four million views across social networks, gaining a status of regional hit in the Balkans. The song ridicules various stereotypes, including the Flat Earth conspiracy theories which are widespread in the region.

At the moment, the video has over 1.2 million views on YouTube, over 2.4 million views on Instagram and over a million views on Facebook, more than 600,000 as a reel and over 400,000 as a whole video.

The song is in English, but, like some other Dubioza hits, the YouTube version of the song comes with subtitles with translations in Chinese, Czech, German, Italian, Polish, Romanian, and Spanish, contributing to its promotion beyond the native region of Western Balkans.

Watch the official video:

Among the various humorous references, the song contains the following lyrics ridiculing the Flat Earth conspiracy theory, with the video showing a scene of supposed Flat-Earther view of the Earth from the moon, a parody of the famous Blue Marble photograph.

I like planet as a ball
Some people tell me it's flat
And if it's flat then I could fall
But where's the logic in that?

The Flat Earth conspiracy theory, claiming that the planet is not round, is noted in the school curriculum in North Macedonia as an example of lack of critical thinking and non-scientific reasoning. The myth that the shape of the Earth is a flat disk was debunked in antiquity. Based the scientifically proven notion that the Earth is spheroid, mathematician Eratosthenes was able to calculate the circumference of the Earth over 2300 years ago with a high degree of accuracy.

While the educated public around the world and in the Balkans meets the new Flat Earth claims with irony, social networks abound with such conspiracy theories, which are often debunked by the fact-checking services such as the Truthmeter.mk in North Macedonia,  Faktoje.al in Albania, Raskrinkavanje.ba in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Raskrinkavanje.me in Montenegro, and Istinomer in Serbia.

Dubiza kolektiv initially planned to release the single “Balkan Boys” on January 24, but they postponed the release for three days as a sign of support for the general strike in Serbia, organized by the student movement for justice, demanding institutional responsibility for the 15 victims of the Novi Sad railway station canopy collapse.

In response to malicious comments such as “why does a band from another country meddle in another's protests,” Dubioza kolektiv issued a statement on their Facebook profile:

Dubioza Kolektiv je bend sastavljen od ljudi iz Bosne i Hercegovine, Srbije, Hrvatske i Slovenije. Podržavamo svaki protest za koji smatramo da ima za cilj borbu za dostojanstvo i bolji život običnog čovjeka. Volimo za sebe reći da smo pri rođenju prvo postali obični ljudi, a tek onda usput i Bosanci, Srbi, Hrvati ili Slovenci.

Dubioza Kolektiv is a band composed of people from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia. We support any protest which we reckon that demands dignity and better life for the common people. About us, we would like to say that by birth we first become ordinary persons, and then along the way we also become Bosnians, Serbs, Croats, or Slovenes.

This is the first time that Dubioza Kolektiv has expressed support for student movements from the region that have been fighting for democracy and a decent life. In 2015 they held a free concert at the state University Sts. Cyril and Methodius in  Skopje in support of the Student Plenum, which was documented in the following Meta.mk video.

Originally published on Global Voices

Aidan White. Photo by Portalb.mk, used with permission.

This interview by Elida Zylbeari was first published by Portalb.mk. An edited version is republished here under a content-sharing agreement between Global Voices and Metamorphosis Foundation. 

Aidan White is the founder of the Ethical Journalism Network (EJN), was general secretary of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) for 25 years, has worked extensively as a journalist and advocate for human rights, ethics, and press freedom. He played a key role in creating global initiatives like IFEX and INSI, served on the IMPRESS appointments panel in 2014, and edited influential EJN reports on topics such as media freedom, corruption, and journalism in the post-truth era before stepping down as EJN Director in 2018 and becoming honorary president in 2021.

In this interview he discusses the current global lack of trust in the media and what, if anything, can be done about it. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Portalb.mk: Why is there a lack of trust in the media nowadays?

Aidan White (AW): We live in a time where there’s a major problem with trust, not because the public or the world at large is specifically against journalism, but because of how people receive information today. There is an incredible amount of bias, propaganda, and abusive communication, particularly through social networks. People are confused and uncertain about what is true and what isn’t. As a result, they no longer trust information, even when it is well-researched or produced by scientists and credible researchers, which is vital for understanding the world.

This lack of trust stems from several factors. One is the changing nature of communication itself. There is an overwhelming amount of disinformation, abusive content, unethical and factually incorrect information, malicious lies, and propaganda everywhere. This creates a chaotic information environment.

Politically, we see governments and various actors using information networks to spread deceptive information and abusive communications. This interference affects democratic processes, such as elections. As a result of this information chaos, people have changed — they now have less trust in external information sources and instead rely on their close, personal networks for information. This includes friends, neighbors, and community groups like those on WhatsApp. This shift to narrow, localized communities for news and information has created a broader trust problem, which is very dangerous. The danger lies in the potential for malicious information to have an undue influence on society. For instance, it has become very easy to spread hate speech, incite violence, and escalate tensions, especially during times of conflict or economic decline. Media plays a crucial role in combating this. Professional journalism has a social responsibility to provide trustworthy information to the public.

Elida Zylbeari and Aidan White. Photo by Elia Chevrier, UNESCO, used with permission.

Portalb.mk: But has the media proven itself trustworthy enough? I’m talking specifically about professional media.

AW: Many in the media might believe they have done so, but I don’t think they have. They haven’t proven it convincingly. Take the United States as an example. The professional media in the US thought they were telling the truth — and they were, to a great extent. They reported the truth about Donald Trump: his misogyny, his racism, his alleged law-breaking, his unreliability, and all the trials he faced. However, despite their truth-telling, many people still voted for him.

Portalb.mk: Why?

AW: Because while the media focused on exposing Trump’s flaws, they failed to connect with the realities of the voters’ lives. Many voters didn’t care about the accusations against Trump. For them, the truth about Trump was secondary. What mattered more was their belief that he could improve their lives economically or support their families. Many of these voters were from lower socio-economic backgrounds, and the media overlooked their priorities. This was the media’s mistake. Truth-telling alone is not enough. The American media learned an important lesson: it is essential not just to report the truth but to connect with people, to understand their perspectives and motivations. Without that connection, even the most accurate reporting will fail to resonate.

Portalb.mk: In one of your public speeches you have mentioned that media has become elitist, or there is a danger of it becoming elitist. Could you elaborate?

AW: Absolutely. One of the problems with journalism today is the divide between the media and the general public. Elitist media figures often believe they understand the world better than the public and have the authority to tell people how and what to think. This attitude is dangerous.

News media and journalists should not be elitist; they should be part of society. They need to understand all levels of the social pyramid — how people live, work, and think. When media fails to connect with people at the bottom of the pyramid, those people will ignore them. This disconnect is what happened in the US and in many elections worldwide.

This year, we’ve seen a wave of elections globally, and in almost every case, voters have sent strong messages to existing governments. This happened in France, Britain, across Europe, and the US. These outcomes highlight how poorly media has been connecting with the public, leading to a dangerous erosion of trust.

Media needs the public’s trust to function effectively. To regain it, media must be transparent, accountable, and connected to the people they serve.

Portalb.mk: So, how can media rebuild public trust?

AW: To rebuild public trust, media needs to focus on three key areas. First, they must commit to the values of professional journalism, adhering to ethical principles such as accuracy through fact-based reporting, independence from political or corporate influences, humanity by avoiding the exploitation of vulnerable groups or incitement of violence, and accountability by correcting mistakes and taking responsibility for errors. Second, transparency is essential; media organizations must clearly communicate who owns them, how they are funded, what their policies are, and whether they have any political or financial biases. Lastly, media must connect with the public by engaging directly, listening to people’s concerns, and understanding their perspectives.

Portalb.mk: How can media demonstrate these commitments in practice?

AW: Media can adopt mechanisms to prove their credibility, such as self-assessment and independent certification. A good example is the Journalism Trust Initiative (JTI), which encourages media organizations to produce reports detailing how they respect human rights, adhere to journalism ethics, and outline their ownership structures and editorial policies. These reports are then verified by independent auditing bodies, and once certified, media organizations can present this to the public as proof of their transparency, ethical conduct, and professionalism. This verifiable certification helps build trust because it allows people to independently confirm the media’s claims.

Portalb.mk: Why is this important?

AW: In a world rife with deception, lies, and dishonesty, mechanisms like the Journalism Trust Initiative are vital. They provide a credible way for media to demonstrate their reliability and regain public trust.

Originally published on Global Voices

Carlos Hernández-Echevarría at POINT 11 Conference in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, June 24, 2024, photo by Vanja Čerimagić/CA Why Not, used with permission.

This interview by Elida Zylbeari, editor in chief of the Albanian version of Truthmeter.mk and the online portal Portalb.mk, was first published by Truthmeter.mk as part of the Western Balkans Anti-Disinformation Hub. An edited version is republished here under a content-sharing agreement between Global Voices and Metamorphosis Foundation. 

In this interview, Truthmeter.mk speaks with Carlos Hernández-Echevarría, a prominent figure in the world of fact-checking and the former chair of the European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN). With a deep understanding of the mechanisms behind disinformation, Carlos sheds light on the efficacy of fact-checking and its critical role in today’s media landscape. He discusses the multifaceted approaches fact-checkers employ to combat misinformation and the essential support governments can provide in this effort. Additionally, Carlos delves into the challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence in the realm of fact-checking. Join us as we explore the current state and future of fact-checking through the insights of a leading expert in the field.

Carlos Hernández-Echevarría is an Associate Director at nonprofit Fundación Maldita.es, which he joined in 2020 to lead its public policy and advocacy operation. He works with public and private institutions to formulate, evaluate, and advocate for more effective policy solutions against disinformation. He is also a member of the Permanent Task Force of the EU Code of Practice on Disinformation. In the past, he was part of the EDMO Task Force on Disinformation on the War in Ukraine. Before joining Maldita.es, Carlos worked in TV news for 15 years as a reporter, correspondent and executive producer. He has a BA in Journalism and a MA in Elections and Campaign Management as a Fulbright Scholar. He is a contributor for several Spanish Media and a professor at Universidad Carlos III.

Truthmeter: Why does fact-checking work?

Carlos Hernández-Echevarría (CHE): Fact-checking has proven to be extremely effective against disinformation in numerous ways. On a basic level, when people see a fact-check or a similar product, they understand why certain false claims are made and subsequently change their behavior, often deciding not to share the misinformation. This is crucial because it challenges the assumption that people’s minds cannot be changed. Fact-checking organizations have been innovating over the years by teaching media literacy, using technological tools, and conducting thorough research on disinformation dissemination, content moderation, and foreign influence. Simply by existing, we elevate the value of truth in the broader environment. Politicians, for instance, have told me that being fact-checked makes them more mindful of their statements and sources, which is significant. We provide evidence that allows people to form their own conclusions. Additionally, we create communities of engaged individuals who actively work to prevent disinformation, becoming more aware and critical of the information they encounter both online and offline.

Truthmeter: But, is fact-checking enough to handle information disorder?

CHE: Absolutely not. Effective intervention requires a multifaceted approach. Even considering all the efforts of fact-checkers, from debunking false claims to advocating for public policies, this remains a societal problem that demands collective efforts. Simplistic solutions do not suffice for this complex issue. Continuous and comprehensive efforts are needed, including media literacy education and technological advancements to detect false claims quickly. Everyone involved in combating disinformation plays an essential role, so no single approach can be considered a “silver bullet.”

Truthmeter: What about the governments? Do they have a role in it?

CHE: That’s an interesting question. The primary role of governments in fighting disinformation is to avoid creating it themselves. Beyond that, they should ensure conditions that allow fact-checkers to operate freely, without repression or censorship. In countries with strong independent judiciaries and rule of law, there might be effective regulations. Governments should not dictate what can or cannot be said but should encourage media platforms to take responsibility for not spreading disinformation. Additionally, governments can support education initiatives to help students and seniors understand and identify disinformation, thereby fostering a more informed society.

Carlos Hernández-Echevarría and Elida Zylbeari. Photo by Truthmeter.mk, used with permission.

Truthmeter: What are the challenges and opportunities that AI creates for fact-checkers? Is it a friend or a foe?

CHE: AI presents both challenges and opportunities. On the challenge side, AI can generate more fake content at a lower cost and with greater sophistication, making it harder to detect. There are also societal concerns, such as the potential erosion of trust if synthetic content becomes too prevalent. Furthermore, AI’s integration into search engines could lead to unreliable answers to critical questions such as political affiliation or health concerns, as these models are often trained on the open web, prioritizing popular opinions over accurate information. However, AI also offers opportunities for developing tools to detect and combat disinformation more effectively.

Truthmeter: The European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN) is a relatively new network comprised of European fact-checkers, chaired by you. Could you share more about this joint initiative and how it is progressing?

CHE: I am thrilled with the progress we’ve made. We now have 49 organizations from 29 countries, surpassing our initial expectations. The network follows the goals set during our founding meetings and assemblies, providing opportunities for fact-checkers and representing them in times of need. Just to name one example, the Digital Services Act (DSA), the new framework for platform regulation around disinformation is being implemented as we speak, and the very first document that the European Commission has published about how risk mitigation by these platforms should work, there is a specific recommendation in there for these platforms to partner and work to partner with the members of EFCSN. So, I think that we have grown a lot and of course that there is a lot to do.

Truthmeter: Besides the challenges of AI, how does the future look for fact-checkers?

CHE: Fact-checkers operate in an increasingly polarized world, where common ground on facts is diminishing. This makes our work more necessary than ever but also more challenging. We need to be more impactful, reach more people, and remain convincing. Navigating this environment requires constant effort and adaptation to ensure we continue to make a difference.

Originally published on Global Voices

Collage featuring Big Mama, Adelina Tahiri, Saranda Imeri Stafai, and Kaltrina Zekolli Shaqiri. Illustration edited by Portalb.mk (photos taken from their social media), used with permission.

This article by  Fjola Zlatku was first published in Albanian by Portalb.mk and translated into English by Meta.mk. An edited version is republished here under a content-sharing agreement between Global Voices and Metamorphosis Foundation. 

Despite visible progress in the fight for women’s rights, increased representation of women in politics and greater attention to issues affecting women, the tendency to express contempt and insult women persists. More specifically, these attacks target women who are increasingly exposed to hate speech because of their profession, especially on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). In most cases, this kind of speech is used as a tool to undermine their dignity and social standing, according to Portalb.mk.

A study by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) revealed that in the first half of  2024, 3,380 comments with sexist language targeting women in politics were identified. These tend to peak during pre-election periods. The problem is further exacerbated by the inadequate regulation of social platforms, which often fail to effectively address ongoing violations against women in the public sector, as well as by the impunity enjoyed by perpetrators from the relevant authorities. This lack of accountability negatively affects both women who are targeted and broader efforts to promote respectful public discourse.

Ingrained stereotypes about women’s roles in society are often weaponized against women who challenge traditional norms or take on leadership positions. Hence, VIPs usually find themselves in a difficult position where their professional life poses a threat to their private life. Unlike men, who are typically criticized for their professional skills, women are often targets of attacks which include unjust invasion of their privacy. Regardless of their profession — whether in politics, media, business, or entertainment — their skills and achievements are frequently overshadowed by attacks on their morality as women. Numerous examples that illustrate this social issue exist.

Media ‘incidents’ of hate speech targeting women in the public sphere

One month ago, Adelina Tahiri, a popular ethnic Albanian singer from Skopje, became the target of hate speech. A Facebook post by ATV showcasing an interview where she discussed her marital and family relations was flooded with gender-based offensive comments. Tahiri has faced similar criticism before, especially for her marriage to an ethnic Macedonian man, her brother’s marriage to an ethnic Macedonian woman, as well as her participation in a rally of the political party VMRO-DPMNE, which espouses Macedonian nationalist positions. These attacks on her personal choices not only diminish her artistic achievements but also highlight the persisting gender-based stereotypes in a patriarchal society.

Another example concerns the singer Big Mama, who became the target of hate speech after a TikTok video of her singing Serbian songs in a restaurant was recorded by Balkan.info and broadcast by the portal in7.tv. The comments directed at her combined gender-based insults with ethnic slurs, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and deepening ethnic divisions.

Recently, Kaltrina Zekolli Shaqiri, the current deputy minister of transport of North Macedonia, faced severe online attacks for her political views. In a TV21 interview, she expressed gratitude toward her party leader, Izet Mexhiti, who, according to her, had a major impact on her political career, supporting her decision to follow him in the new division of the political structure. This was distorted by the media outlet Explus, which linked it to a controversial image of Zekolli sitting at a table full of money in a video post entitled “Kaltrina Zekolli with a lot of money on Izet Mexhiti’s table in the Municipality of Chair.” This post, which uses hate speech, sparked a deluge of sexist, misogynistic, and derogatory comments about her.

Similarly, VLEN Coalition of ethnic Albanian political parties, MP Saranda Imeri faced hateful comments after an interview on TV21 where she discussed being an artist and a politician, as well as her English degree. These offensive remarks demonstrate how our society often views women’s accomplishments with suspicion, undermining their hard work and investment.

These cases illustrate how such attacks deter women from engaging in politics and public life, creating a hostile environment that undermines gender equality in these spaces. The impact of gender-based hate speech and defamation goes beyond ruining the reputation of individuals; it fosters a climate of fear and discouragement that deters other women from participating in public, political, and cultural life. This phenomenon deepens gender inequality in the public sphere, causing women to be less present and represented.

Hate speech against women ‘has been normalized’

Experts argue that online violence against women has become widely normalized.

Christina Doda, a researcher from the Institute of Human Rights, shared the findings of a recent study on an even more disturbing topic of online gender-based violence (i.e., cyberbullying) targeting high school students in North Macedonia.

Doda explained that young girls are the most frequent victims of this form of harassment:

Gender stereotypes, prejudices and traditional roles reinforce cultural (violent) forms of behavior, both online and offline, while the disturbing narrative for boys is mainly found on the profiles which differ from the widespread norms on heteronormativity. Our analyses show that the narrative directed towards girls mainly contains a sexual component, with misogynistic and sexist comments.

These findings reflect a broader societal tendency to judge women who achieve success in the public sphere, a tendency that is cultivated from an early age.

Activist Biljana Bejkova of the NGO Infocenter, who advocates for the rights of journalists and women, added that, alongside negative comments, gender-based misinformation should be regarded as a crucial factor in the anti-gender movement, undermining women’s rights. Bejkova elaborates:

These harmful narratives aim to discredit, devalue, and intimidate women. Misinformation about gender not only limits women’s participation in the public sphere but also encourages a culture of intolerance and hatred, which contradicts the basic democratic principles of equality and justice. Taking this into account, it is extremely important to recognize these narratives and misinformation as part of broader efforts to undermine gender equality and develop strategies for their prevention and eradication.

It’s imperative to take the situation seriously and demand immediate action from both authorities and the media. The authorities should strengthen legal frameworks and ensure that laws against gender-based hate speech are enforced effectively, with appropriate penalties for violations. Meanwhile, the media must promote a public discourse that is respectful and does not tolerate attacks on women. They should maintain professional standards in reporting and control comments on the relevant platforms. Only through this approach can we create a safer and more supportive environment where women feel empowered to actively participate in public life, contributing to gender equality and social progress.

Sara Milenkovska, a gender equality researcher and co-founder of the Stela network, explained that hate speech against women has become so normalized in North Macedonia that it is now part of the standard rhetoric used by certain politicians, media outlets, and citizens when discussing women in politics, public life, and even their private lives. She says:

Just look at the results of analysis of hate speech against female politicians during the last elections, which directly affects the will and opportunities for more women to get involved in protecting their rights through politics. However, women in politics are not the only victims of hate speech that also targets women’s bodies and their very existence in public. For example, the Olympic Games and the way different women are talked about shows that hate speech is not only gender-based but also based on inequality in terms of racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia. The inequality that women face is intersectoral, that is, on multiple levels.

Milenkovska also points out that anti-gender movements, along with institutional disinvestment in the fight for a freer and more equal world, only make efforts for change even harder.

A punishable offense 

North Macedonia’s legal framework prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of gender. The North Macedonia Criminal Code lists several crimes motivated by hate speech, including those committed online. The Law on Audio and Audiovisual Media Services prohibits the distribution of media content that incites or promotes discrimination, intolerance, or hatred.

An analysis by Portalb.mk published at the end of 2023 highlighted that, in North Macedonia, cases of online hate speech have increased in recent years, with women, particularly public figures, being the primary victims. Unfortunately, institutions are not doing enough to address this issue despite constant warnings from civil society and international reports.

Originally published on Global Voices

Photo featuring the term ‘hate speech’ in Albanian, generated with artificial intelligence in Canva by the Portalb.mk team. Used with permission.

This article by Despina Kovachevska was originally published by Meta.mk. An edited version is republished here under a content-sharing agreement between Global Voices and Metamorphosis Foundation. 

The deputy prime minister for good governance policies of North Macedonia, Arben Fetai, announced on his Facebook profile that he received a death threat on his official email on November 8, 2024. In less than half a day, media outlets reported on his status along with verbatim hate speech quotes in the headlines of their articles, writes Portalb.mk.

This is not the first time the media has carelessly published politicians’ statements without critically analyzing them, using the situation to generate sensationalism and boost their viewership. Such journalism has numerous harmful consequences, and in this case, it has only amplified and spread the hateful message promoting killing of members of an ethnic group throughout the media.

The news was first published on Alsat quoting the entire threatening message in the article’s title, without providing any context or critical view of the event.

Screenshot of media article containing direct quote of hate speech in the headline: “BULLET IN THE HEAD FOR YOU SHIPO FETAI” / Deputy PM Arben Fetai's life threats.”

Anti-Albanian hate speech often uses the term “shiptar” or variants, like “shipo,” which is based on debasement for the Albanian term for Albanian, “shqiptar.” It is considered derogatory in a similar manner to the N-word in the US.

On the media aggregator Time.mk, one can see that out of several articles that report on the event, half of them contain the same threatening message in the title and thus fuel hate speech even more, especially in the comments below the news.

Although most media outlets do this to get clicks, this practice contributes to hate messages becoming dominant in the media sphere, increasing the risk of supporting negative and dangerous tendencies in society.

Hate speech is an increasingly common phenomenon on the internet, especially in comments on social media. Media outlets, instead of critically reporting on this phenomenon, are becoming the main spreaders of such messages.

This is the second instance of hate speech within one week conveying the same message, this time scrawled on the wall of a building in front of the Constitutional Court of North Macedonia in Skopje. Although the graffiti was removed by November 1, after the Portalb.mk team alerted the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the situation became much more complicated online.

Hate speech graffiti in Skopje, North Macedonia, with the text ‘DEAD SHIPTAR!!!’ painted across the entrance of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of North Macedonia. Photo by Portalb.mk, used with permission.

While the swift response from institutions is a positive example of taking action against the spread of hate in physical spaces, the lack of regulation in the digital realm remains a significant issue.

In the online realm, aggressive and harmful expressions of hatred and misinformation often remain unpunished for extended periods, with mechanisms for swift removal being notably inadequate. What is lacking are concrete and effective strategies to monitor and eliminate harmful content on the internet. While laws and regulations, such as the Digital Services Act, can help manage this area, they also require active participation from social media platforms and society as a whole in the battle against hate and misinformation online.

The media plays a key role in polarizing societies

Frequently repeating the same message can have negative effects, particularly in media coverage during emotionally charged and politically divided times. When society is polarized, the media are often compelled to take sides or favor one narrative over another, which can further entrench preexisting divisions.

In such conditions, the media should take responsibility for balancing narratives and work to reduce divisions by focusing on constructive dialogue, fact-checking and objective reporting. It is also important to develop mechanisms that will protect the media from political or economic influence and encourage journalists to commit to ethical reporting.

The media are not merely messengers of information; they serve as interpreters and curators, selecting and framing content to help audiences make sense of complex issues.

The media landscape in the Western Balkans is highly polarized, with close ties between media ownership and political elites fostering an environment where investigative journalism is rare, and self-censorship is pervasive. These dynamics significantly undermine the media's role as a democratic watchdog, limiting its capacity to hold power accountable and promote informed public discourse. Instead of challenging entrenched power structures, many media outlets serve as tools for political propaganda or profit-driven sensationalism.

No meaningful response to hate speech

Hate speech, both online and in public spaces, remains a pressing issue in the region. Despite the existence of legislation criminalizing hate speech, institutional responses are often inadequate. Enforcement is inconsistent, selective, or entirely absent, which emboldens perpetrators and allows harmful rhetoric to permeate public discourse unchecked.

In our experience, despite reporting multiple instances of cybercrimes involving hate speech, we have received no meaningful response or action from relevant institutions. This lack of accountability not only undermines trust in the system but also enables hate speech to flourish, further polarizing society and marginalizing vulnerable groups.

Hate speech coming from the media has a major impact on everyday life, as the media not only shapes public opinion and attitudes but also influences social values, policies, and identities. When the media spreads hate speech or reinforces divisions, it can have serious consequences.

Such speech is harmful to society and can manifest itself in different ways, from direct insults and discrimination to less visible forms of hatred, such as microaggressions and stereotyping. It can often have a destructive effect on individuals, communities, and the whole of society.

Originally published on Global Voices

Entrance to a high school in Skopje, North Macedonia. Photo by Meta.mk, used with permission.

This article is based on coverage by Meta.mk. An edited version is republished here under a content-sharing agreement between Global Voices and the Metamorphosis Foundation. 

The Network for Protection Against Discrimination (NPAD) issued a press release on November 5, expressing concern over the possibility of adoption of draft laws for primary and secondary education which, according to them, would mean backsliding rather than progress in the protection of students from discrimination and violence within the educational process in Republic of North Macedonia (RNM).

The network states that the draft laws, contrary to established legal hierarchy, remove the protected characteristics “gender,” “gender identity,” and “sexual orientation.” According to them this is the first case of backsliding in regard to protection from discrimination in the Macedonian legislation.

Meta.mk interviewed competent officials in the Ministry of Education and Science (MES), as well as representatives of the network, who stated that the draft legislative changes enable gross violation of the rights of children, directly endangering their mental and physical integrity. Their reaction noted:

When institutions systematically exclude and erase certain groups of students, then they directly send a signal encouraging further exclusion and oppression of these groups in society. Additionally, such acts provide a signal to the aggressors, who inflict violence against women, girls and LGBTI+ students, that their actions are an extension of the institutional treatment of these groups, normalizing their violent behavior. By adopting these changes, the laws on primary and secondary education will become contrary to the provisions and the spirit of the Law for Prevention and Protection from Discrimination, which recognizes gender, sexual orientation and gender identity as bases for discrimination.

In addition, Maja Atanasova from NPAD told Meta.mk that, since they issued their reaction, the minister for education and science, Vesna Janevska, received their delegation in a meeting at the MES. Atanasova explained:

The minister was open for discussion, but at the meeting they stated they will not back down on their decision. The minister has previously stated that since the protections based on these characteristics has been covered by the Law for Prevention and Protection from Discrimination, the erased protected characteristics will remain in force through the open clause “and others.” Therefore, strictly legally speaking, the protections remain; however the amended laws would not be harmonized with the Law for Prevention and Protection from Discrimination, which violates the constitutional guarantees for respect of hierarchy of the laws. The problem is that laypersons, who are not trained legal professionals or jurists, would not read the whole legislative framework, but just open the particular law and realize that these grounds are not covered. This increases the risk for schools not to recognize the need to create mechanisms for protection from discrimination based on these characteristics, even though the statistics provided by the Commission for Protection and Prevention Against Discrimination indicate a serious need.

Minister Janevska has reiterated those positions in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty published on November 3.

Vesna Janevska, Minister of Education and Science of Republic of North Macedonia. Photo by Meta.mk, used with permission.

Да не биде недоразбирање, на крајот на реченицата има ’и друго‘ што опфаќа секаков вид на дискриминација. Не знам зашто би требало да го оптоваруваме законот и да ги набројуваме сите видови дискриминации кои постојат, затоа што тоа е номо-техника…

To avoid misunderstanding, I have to note that at the end of the sentence there's “and others” which covers all kinds of discrimination. I don't know why we should burden the law and list all kinds of discrimination that exist, because that's part of nomothetic [expertise pertaining to creation of legislation]…

Representatives of Ministry of Education and Science told Meta.mk on email that they work on upgrading the legislative framework in the area of education and include all stakeholders in the process. According to them:

We especially value public opinion and that’s why we opened public discussion regarding six legislative solutions. We prepared draft-versions which we published on the government ENER system [Unique National Electronic Register for Regulations of the RNM] enabling comments with additional suggestions and proposals. The laws for primary and secondary education are defined in such a way to protect the students from any kind of discrimination, from segregation, and from various program or project activities which are not defined as part of the official curricula, and can harm their development and orientation. However Macedonia has a separate Law for Prevention and Protection from Discrimination in all segments, which means it covers education system also, and it can be applied under any circumstances.

They also clarified that the draft laws for primary and secondary education will be further forwarded to the parliamentary procedure, where the MPs will have opportunities to further amend a more perfect contents.

It’s especially important that MES will not only provide legal protection of students from discrimination and segregation, but that in the upcoming period it will work with the schools and the civil sector on preventive activities and education of students towards respecting diversity and building a peaceful, harmonious and safe studying environment. The minister discussed with the civic associations about these aspects of the education system at a meeting.

The reaction of the NPAD also includes the commitment of the government to implement the obligations imposed through the judgement of the European Court for Human Rights in the case of Elmazova and others vs North Macedonia. This judgement forced the institutions in North Macedonia to upgrade the legislative framework to prevent discrimination against the Roma.

However the network noted that the draft laws contain elements which don’t refer to that verdict, while directly and unequivocally representing violations of the international law and the human rights.  

We remind that all freedoms and rights that the state has guaranteed to the citizens by ratification of international conventions are considered freedoms and rights guaranteed as fundamental value of the constitutional order. The General Comments of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in its general recommendations, the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence — have all been ratified and therefore have the same legal force as the existing laws in this Republic. Based on this, we must not allow adoption of laws which are in contrast to the ratified international conventions.

Previously, on November 1, the Gender Equality Platform, composed of 21 civil society organization working in this area, strongly reacted to the MES proposal to amend the laws on primary and secondary education by removing gender, sexual orientation and gender identity as protected characteristics, and replacing them with the words “equal opportunities.” They noted that these acts send a “clear message that certain groups are not protected from discrimination, even in the most sensitive areas of society, such as public education.”

Originally published on Global Voices

The band Nemeček receiving Milan Mladenović Award. Photo by Gabriela Bašić, published with permission by Milan Mladenović Foundation.

This article is based on coverage by Meta.mk. An edited version is republished here under a content-sharing agreement between Global Voices and the Metamorphosis Foundation. 

The Croatian band Nemeček become the sixth laureate of the Milan Mladenović Award for young bands from the region of former Yugoslavia thanks to their song “Mirila.”

The regional award was bestowed by the Milan Mladenović Foundation on September 21 in Makarska, Croatia. It is awarded annually on the birthday of the legendary Serbian rock musician  Milan Mladenović. Mladenović is an iconic Serbian musician best known as the singer of the alternative band Ekatarina Velika (EKV) and also an influential poet and antiwar activist.

For the second time, this regional ceremony happened outside of Belgrade in a place that played an important role in Mladenović's short life, the birthplace of his mother. The event was hosted by the Croatian seaside town of Makarska, as part of the Modro i Zeleno Festival, whose name means “Blue and Green,” based on lyrics from the eponymous EKV song.

“This is the first time for us to be recognized in such a way,” said Vedran Živković, the Nemeček band vocalist, in an emotional speech at the award ceremony.

The winning band is a trio composed of tambura, synthesizer, and drums. The combination of instruments shapes their sound, which combines elements of folk music with modern electronic landscapes and metronomic precise drum work. The song “Mirila” was published on their third album, “Prokletije II.”

The five finalists for the award also included Macedonian band Mojra with their song “Aroma(n)tic,” the song “Right side of the book” by Croatian singer Leni, “Nobody Never” by the Serbian band Škofja Loka VIS, and “After a Spring” by Serbian singer Tamara Mylo.

Mylo won the award for most inspiring vocalist and also won the first-ever best lyrics award at the event.

Viktor  Stojanovski from the Macedonian band Lufthansa received the award for the most inspiring drummer, which included a drum from the company Firchie Drums, run by Ivan Fece Firchie, one of the drummers of EKV band. Lufthansa participated in the contest with their post-punk song “Kula.”

The award ceremony was livestreamed via YouTube on September 21.

At the ceremony, the deputy mayor of the City of Makarska, Antonia Radić Brkan, announced that the town decided to rename the promontory on the nearby Osejava Peninsula in honor of Milan Mladenović.

The Award provides the laureate with a monetary prize of EUR 3,000 and the opportunity to perform at next year's The Exit festival, the biggest music festival in the region. The Foundation also stressed:

Nagrada Milan Mladenović, koja je dodeljena u Makarskoj predstavlja više od pukog priznanja. Ona je simbol inovacije, hrabrosti i umetničkog izraza. Ona odaje počast onima koji se usude da kroče sopstvenim putem, odolevajući pritiscima konformizma. Kroz Nagradu i Milanov duh nastavlja da živi, inspirišući nove generacije da budu odvažne, autentične i strastvene u svojoj umetnosti.

The Milan Mladenović Award which was granted in Makarska represents something more than a recognition. It is a symbol of innovation, courage and artistic expression. It honors those who dare to walk their own path and resist the pressures of conformism. Milan's spirit continues to live through the Award, inspiring new generations to be courageous, authentic and passionate in their art.

Originally published on Global Voices

Photo of a infant receiving a vaccination by World Bank Photo Collection on Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

This article is based the coverage by Meta.mk. An edited version is republished here under a content-sharing agreement between Global Voices and Metamorphosis Foundation. 

Originally published on Global Voices

An undated photograph of Croatian journalist Melita Vrsaljko at work in the offices of Faktograf. On July 16, she was attacked in her home over her reporting. Photo: Faktograf, used with permission.

This article is based on coverage by Meta.mk. An edited version is republished here under a content-sharing agreement between Global Voices and Metamorphosis Foundation. 

The members of the European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN) issued a condemnation of the attack against the journalist of Croatian fact-checking service Faktograf that took place on July 16 near near Zadar. As reported by Faktograf, award-winning journalist Melita Vrsaljko, a fact-checker who works on their Climate Portal, was physically attacked while working in the village of Nadin.

Initially, an elderly man attacked her on public property in Nadin while she was passing by an emerging illegal dump with a cameraman working on the development of a documentary film. Later, she was attacked again, this time in her home, also in Nadin. The daughter of the original attacker, after Vrsaljko opened the front door, started hitting her and attempted to take her mobile phone.

The Zadar Police Department reported:

Policijskim postupanjem je utvrđeno da je 36-godišnjakinja došla na adresu prebivališta oštećene, gdje ju je verbalno, a potom i fizički napala, pri čemu joj je mobitel iz ruke bacila na tlo.

Police procedures determined that a 36-year-old woman came to the victim’s address, where she verbally and then physically attacked her, throwing her mobile phone from her hand to the ground.

The attackers, Iva Perić and Ivan Vrsaljko, are sister and father of powerful local politician Dario Vrsaljko. Regional news portal of the Adriatic region Morski.hr, which republished photos and videos from the attack, originally shared via Facebook, noted that both of them are donors and prominent members of the ruling political party HDZ.

Lawyer Vanja Jurić warned that “although there are witnesses and video recordings, the police have, as far as is known, mischaracterized these attacks as offenses against public order and peace, in which allegedly the victim herself equally participated.” She said she will file a complaint against the police because they have not taken the actions they could and should have to protect journalist Vrsaljko in line with the provisions of the Criminal Code.

Faktograf documented the attack on their web page.

Screnshot of Faktograf story on the attack against journalist of the Climate Portal covering illegal landfill near Zadar, Croatia. Photo: Faktograf.hr. Used with permission.

The European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN) immediately issued a press release condemning the attack. Said Ana Brakus, co-founder and executive director of Faktograf:

For years, Faktograf – Association for the Informed Public, has endured violent threats. Our journalists have been repeatedly subjected to harassment and attacks, yet this physical assault on Melita Vrsaljko in her own home marks an unprecedented and appalling escalation of violence. She is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker, a hard and honest worker, completely dedicated to providing the public with the highest quality journalism. Faktograf will offer Melita our wholehearted support, and we call on you to join us in condemning this appalling act.

EFCSN pointed out that sadly, this incident is part of an alarming trend of threats and harassment directed at fact-checkers worldwide. In Croatia, Faktograf has faced such threats and harassment in the past, although never physical violence, which is part of what makes this incident so concerning. EFCSN stressed:

It is imperative that we address this escalating issue with the seriousness it deserves. Fact-checkers play a critical role in safeguarding public discourse and ensuring that citizens are informed with accurate information. We urge all stakeholders to support and protect fact-checkers as they continue their vital mission in the face of adversity.

The International Fact-Checking Network joined colleagues in Europe in deploring the  attack on the Faktograf journalist. Faktograf is a verified signatory to the IFCN Code of Principles.

EFCSN and IFCN member from North Macedonia Metamorphosis Foundation joined the condemnation, together with the newsrooms of the fact-checking service  Truthmeter.mk, Meta.mk news agency and the news portal in Albanian language PortAlb.mk.

Метаморфозис ги повикува хрватските државни институции експедитивно и недвосмилено да го истражат нападот на новинарите на Фактограф на кои им е потребна заштита од вакви напади бидејќи проверувачите на факти кои ги адресираат клучните прашања што ги засегаат нашите општества.

Metamorphosis calls upon the state institutions of the Republic of Croatia to expeditiously and unequivocally investigate the attack on the Faktograf journalists, who require protection from such assaults because fact-checkers address the key issues of public interest concerning the societies in the Balkan region, across Europe and world over.

Metamorphosis team empathize with all targets of harassment against freedom of expression, as they have been subjected to similar attacks including a coordinated smear campaign, which has been going on for years. It intensified with the most recent wave of attacks in February this year. These attacks, as the previous  ones, caused an outcry of journalist community and were reported to the Ministry of Interior and the Public Prosecutors Office of Republic of North Macedonia. However the competent authorities have not taken steps to address the issue so far.

Polish fact-checking outlet Demagog also expressed support for Faktograf and EFCN statement in a Twitter/X post in Polish and English.

The Committee to Protect Journalists, issued a demand to Croatian authorities to “swiftly investigate two attacks made against reporter Melita Vrsaljko in relation to her environmental reporting and take steps to ensure her safety.” The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), and the Center for Democratic Transition (CDT) from Montenegro publicly expressed support for  the  endangered journalists.

In May 2023 Faktograf published results of the research “Harassment of Fact-checking Media Outlets in Europe” covering 41 newsrooms. “Fact-checkers frequently experience attacks from political and other public actors, as well as harassment on social networks. The exposure to intimidation, disinformation and incitement campaigns online is considerable, but largely invisible to anyone outside the ‘community.’ It somewhat disproportionately targets women [and] it is more intense in countries that do not have strong democracies and vibrant media environments…” the survey noted.  

Fact-checkers stand at the front line of fighting disinformation, which often goes hand in hand with hate speech, fringe politics, antidemocratic and extreme ideologies. Previous research [by the ICFJ]  has already established that reporting on disinformation “seems to be a particular trigger” for harassment. Bad actors who use manipulative tactics to achieve political goals and/or radicalise their target audiences, have already made fact-checkers regular and frequent targets of their online campaigns. Similar is true of actors who use false or misleading information opportunistically, to profit off of existing advertisement models which largely favour clickability over credibility.

However, this vulnerability, which comes with being “first responders” in the struggles against information disorder and its many derivatives, is not sufficiently recognized by relevant stakeholders who have the ability to influence it. The survey concluded that:

Harassment against fact-checkers, therefore, needs to be recognized as a systemic problem, with full awareness of its intentions to discredit both individual fact-checking outlets and general efforts against disinformation.