HD Secures Code of Conduct for Responsible Social Media Use Ahead of Kosovo Local Elections

19.09.2025

PRISTINA, September 2025 – With the October 12 local election campaign set to begin next week, the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), in partnership with Democracy for Development (D4D), convened representatives from political parties, civil society organizations, and media outlets in Pristina to sign a Code of Conduct for the Responsible Use of Social Media During the Local Elections in Kosovo.

This code directly addresses online risks identified in prior consultations with political, civil society, and media stakeholders. Its key principles include:

  • Upholding electoral laws and ethical standards in both online and offline campaigning
  • Avoiding the spread of disinformation, hate speech, harassment, and other harmful content
  • Refraining from using coordinated networks of accounts to manipulate online discourse or simulate false support
  • Ensuring transparency in online political advertising
  • Guaranteeing safe and equal participation for women, minorities, and marginalized groups in both offline and online political life

“By signing this code, Kosovo’s political parties, media outlets, and civil society have publicly reaffirmed their shared commitment to safeguarding the integrity of online discourse and strengthening public trust in democratic institutions,” said Dr. Mark Baskin, Senior Adviser for the Western Balkans at HD.

D4D’s Executive Director, Rezarta Krasniqi, highlighted the urgency of the initiative: “Since 60 percent of hate speech on social networks originates from political entities, signing today’s code is a joint commitment to creating a healthier environment and a more democratic and equal electoral process.”

To strengthen accountability, a dedicated monitoring body will oversee adherence to the code, tracking online activity from two weeks before the campaign period begins through two weeks after election day.

This code is the second jointly facilitated by HD and D4D in Kosovo, following their collaboration during the 2021 local elections. It is the eighth such agreement HD has facilitated globally and the third in the Balkans.

The Digital Conflict programme is part of HD’s private diplomacy, mediation, and peacemaking initiatives in more than 75% of the world’s conflicts.