Resources
Where can I find more information about harmful media content, disinformation and similar topics?
Civil society organizations across the Western Balkan and Turkey are devoted to strengthening media literacy and education of citizens about harmful media contents such as fake news, propaganda or biased reporting. Look for media CSOs that deal with these topics in your country and check their educational programs and workshops as well as publications and other materials they produce. Look for organisations such as: Albanian Media Institute (Albania), Mediacentar Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Press Council of Kosovo (Kosovo), Montenegrin Media Institute (Montenegro), Macedonian Institute for Media (North Macedonia), Novi Sad School of Journalism (Serbia), Bianet (Turkey).
Are there specialist websites dedicated to exposing fake news and disinformation?
Yes! Fact-checking platforms are becoming more popular. They check information published in news outlets and circulating on social networks to debunk fake news and other types of disinformation on an ongoing basis. They also provide explanations of their findings. And they welcome user questions and tips, so if you feel there are questions to be asked about the veracity of a story you’ve come across, do get in touch, especially if the story concerns an important issue of public interest. Some of the most popular fact-checking platforms in the Western Balkan and Turkey are: Raskrinkavanje.ba (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Fake News tragač (Serbia), Raskrinkavanje.me (Montenegro), Vistinomer.mk (North Macedonia), Faktoje (Albania), teyit.org (Turkey), hibrid.info (Kosovo).
Who can I complain to about harmful media content?
Great that you are willing to deploy your media literacy to reduce the volume of problematic content in the media. That’s really important as it helps create public sphere conducive to well-informed approaches to issues of public interest. Regulatory and self-regulatory bodies operate in the Western Balkan countries and Turkey. Their job is to, among other things, monitor the adherence of the media to professional standards and address complaints from citizens and institutions about specific pieces of content. Check their websites for details of complaints procedure. Self-regulatory bodies in the Western Balkans and Turkey include: Press and Online Media Council (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Media Council for Self-Regulation (Montenegro), Council of Media Ethics in Macedonia (North Macedonia), Press Council (Serbia), The Alliance for Ethical Media (Albania), Press Council of Kosovo (Kosovo), Press Council (Turkey).
How can I find out who owns and edits the websites I follow?
Any credible media outlet will let its audience know the names of its owners, editorial staff, and other personnel as well as ways to contact its office. This type of information is usually known as “impressum” and should be easily accessible on the website. If it isn’t, that’s a huge warning sign that its reliability and integrity may be in question.
Why does media literacy matter?
Media literacy is important as it helps us critically analyse and interpret different forms of media, their messages, and even potential motives and biases behind those messages. This then helps us make better informed decisions based on a critical approach to information to which we are all exposed, for example, on questions such as who to vote for, what and where to study, how to take care of your health, how to manage your finances, how to spend your free time, or what books to read.
