Manjola Hasa, head of Albania’s Media and Information Agency (AMI), has urged citizens, journalists and social media users to verify information before sharing it online. She warned that false reports are spreading amid recent political and social developments.

Hasa identified two recent cases of disinformation. The first involved a viral photograph claiming that nine young people had gone missing after attending a protest outside the Ministry of Education. The students later refuted the claim at their university and confirmed they were safe. They also expressed concern about the distress the false report had caused their families.

The second case involved a threatening message circulated among teachers and university lecturers. It falsely claimed that law enforcement authorities had photographed them at a protest and would bring charges against them. Hasa said the State Police had not sent such a message and had officially denied the claims.

She warned that false reports, misleading photographs and manipulated videos could create fear, confusion and distort public perceptions. Hasa called on everyone to check reliable sources before sharing content and to avoid spreading unverified claims.

/a.p./