Euractiv: To Stop War Breaking Out in Kosovo, Media Freedom in Serbia Must be Addressed

Euractiv

“An explosion of Russian disinformation threatened a breakout of conflict in Kosovo, highlighting the urgent need to address the declining information environment in the region, writes Antoinette Nikolova.

The leaders of Serbia and Kosovo are expected for urgent talks in Brussels on Thursday (18 August) following the flare-up of tensions between the two countries. Abuse of media and social media should be top of the agenda.

Here’s why. On 1 August, a dispute over rules on car license plates evolved into a major crisis after an explosion of disinformation from Russia-linked websites and social media accounts claimed that fighting had broken out in Kosovo, and that Serbian forces had entered the country, and that Russia would support them. Panic ensued until it became clear that these claims were in no way true.

Thankfully, real conflict was averted this time. But experts say the attack was an aggressive Russian hybrid operation designed to provoke another European war and deflect attention from Ukraine. There is no reason to think they will not try again.”