In its preliminary report issued on February 11, the EU Election Monitor Team commended the BIRN and Internews Kosova ‘Debat Përnime’ TV programme as an exemplar of independent journalism with real-time data and fact-checking.

“There was  some independent journalistic scrutiny of candidates’ policies, particularly on Dukagjini’s ‘Debat Pernime,’ where campaign promises were challenged by real-time data and fact-checking,”  the report stated.

“The ruling party (Vetëvendosje) participated only in seven out of 18 debates on monitored TV channels, and opposition parties prioritised criticising the government over substantive, policy-driven discussions. Regretfully, no debate was organised between the leading candidates,” it added.

‘Debat Përnime’ is a series of KALLXO.com-run electoral debates that aired on TV Dukagjini during the election campaign for the Kosovo February 9, 2025, parliamentary elections.

The report highlighted that the ruling party, Vetëvendosje, chose to boycott several major private media outlets—including TV Dukagjini and subsequently ‘Debat Përnime’ TV programme.

Jeta Xharra, the director of BIRN Kosovo and host of the TV programme ‘Debat Përnime’ stated at the beginning of the electoral debate on January 11, that Vetëvendosje had chosen not to participate because they claimed that oligarchs ran the station.

These TV debates are organised by civil society organisations, including the Balkan Network for Investigative Journalism, BIRN, and Internews Kosova, two internationally recognised and award-winning organisations. BIRN and Internews Kosova fact-checking platform, Krypometri, is a verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network, IFCN,  and the European Factchecking Standards Network, EFCSN.

At the ‘Debat Përnime’ TV Programme, several MP candidates from Kosovo opposition parties were caught spreading misinformation on issues, including population migration, ethnic demographics, and the prison system. They were debunked in real-time by fact-checkers.

Twenty non-governmental organisations reacted to the decision of the Vetëvendosje Movement to boycott the program format ‘Debat Pernime’ hosted by BIRN and Internews Kosova.

Another key issue raised by the EU election monitor was the perceived politicisation of key institutions, including the Central Election Commission, CEC, and the Independent Media Commission. Concerns were voiced about the CEC’s impartiality and independence, with allegations of political interference, particularly from the ruling party, LVV. 

In terms of Kosovo’s media environment, the report described it as dynamic but fragmented. “Ethnic divisions and institutional challenges have created separate informational spheres for Kosovo Albanians, Kosovo Serbs, and other non-majority communities.”

The EU mission was invited by the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, and consisted of 100 observers from EU states, Canada, Norway, and Switzerland.

A final report from the mission is expected to be published in the coming months.