BIRN – the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network – Kosovo, in partnership with the International Press Institute, IPI, organised a two-day training course on tackling disinformation and establishing fact-checking methods. Thirty-four journalists attended the online course, organised as part of the EU-funded project, “Solidifying the Resilience of Kosovo’s Current and Future Journalists”.

On day one, Carina Van Wyk, Head of Education and Training at Africa Check, Africa’s first independent fact-checking organisation, introduced the topic, “Dealing with the (mis)infodemic.” Van Wyk explained how false information spreads and outlined tips and tools for identifying fake news. The second day was covered by Eoghan Sweeney, an open-source investigation specialist and trainer. Over the past decade, Sweeney has helped to establish and develop digital verification and fact-checking operations at media organisations across the globe. The session covered various topics, including geo-locating content and techniques that help figure out the precise location shown in a content piece.

The overall purpose of this project is to bring together the wider community of journalists and media professionals and increase the awareness and support of the public for professional journalism, to solidify a sustainable democracy in Kosovo.