On 17 December 2025, experts, researchers, journalists, and civil society representatives gathered at South East European University (SEEU) in Tetovo to discuss how disinformation, foreign influence, and internal polarization are shaping democratic discourse in North Macedonia. The event brought together academic institutions, civil society organizations, and data-driven media analysts to present research findings and explore pathways for strengthening democratic resilience.

Opening the Discussion: Democracy Under Pressure

The event was opened by Demush Bajrami, Dean of the Faculty of Languages, Cultures and Communication at SEEU, who emphasized the growing importance of critical engagement with information in a rapidly changing media environment.

Sefer Selimi, Executive Director of Democracy Lab, framed the discussion by outlining the project’s objectives: to provide evidence-based insights into how disinformation narratives operate in North Macedonia and how they intersect with broader geopolitical dynamics.

Presenting the Evidence: Mapping Harmful Narratives

The first session focused on the presentation of research results derived from large-scale web-based media analysis.

Natasha Dimova, Senior Analyst at Pikasa Analytics, introduced the analytical methodology used to assess thousands of online media articles. The approach combines MLA narrative detection, and contextual analysis to identify patterns of harmful and manipulative content together with human verification.

Aleksandar Cekov, Partnership and Development Executive at Pikasa Analytics, presented the Narrative Tracker, a tool designed to identify recurring disinformation themes and their evolution over time.

The main findings were presented by Edlira Palloshi Disha, Researcher at the Max van der Stoel Institute (MVDSI) and external researcher for Democracy Lab. The analysis of more than 18,000 media articles published between May and October revealed:

• A significant presence of anti-Western, anti-EU, and anti-NATO narratives, accounting for roughly one-fifth of analysed content
• The blending of foreign propaganda narratives with domestic political and identity-based polarization
• The use of emotionally charged language to amplify distrust toward institutions, democratic processes, and international partners

Panel Discussion: Actors, Goals, and Democratic Resilience

The second session featured a panel discussion titled “The Challenge of Democracy and Shaping the Geopolitical Landscape”, moderated by Edlira Palloshi Disha.

Panelists Albulena Halili and Veli Kreci from MVDSI, Xhabir Deralla from Civil Media, and Despina Kovachevska from the Metamorphosis Foundation examined:

• Who the key actors behind disinformation campaigns are
• What strategic goals these narratives serve
• How domestic polarization increases the effectiveness of foreign propaganda

Speakers emphasized that disinformation should not be understood as isolated false stories, but as a strategic communication tool that systematically shapes perceptions, weakens trust, and undermines democratic norms.

From Analysis to Action

During the concluding lightning reflections and Q&A session, participants reflected on what resonates most from the findings and what remains missing. A shared conclusion emerged: countering disinformation requires more than fact-checking. It demands long-term investment in media literacy, institutional transparency, professional journalism, and cross-sector cooperation.

Conclusion

The Tetovo event underscored a critical reality: in North Macedonia, foreign influence and internal polarization are increasingly intertwined, creating a challenging environment for democratic discourse. Data-driven analysis, such as that presented by Pikasa Analytics and Democracy Lab, plays a crucial role in making these dynamics visible and actionable.

As discussions highlighted, strengthening democratic resilience depends not only on identifying harmful narratives, but also on empowering citizens, institutions, and media actors to respond with credibility, transparency, and evidence-based strategies.