Department of Communication Sciences at the University College "Bedër" organized a workshop on "Fake News, Media Problem or Democracy?"
The workshop was attended by the Ambassador of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Bernd Borchardt, Head of Department of Journalism and Communication at the University of Tirana, Prof.Assoc. Dr. Mark Marku, renowned analyst and journalist Lutfi Dervishi, Head of the Union of Journalists, Alexander Çipa, media scholar, representatives of PR offices and communication and journalism students.
The activity was opened by the Department of Communication Sciences, Dr. Erlis Çela, who said that the tradition of organizing the workshop is annual and aims to address coherent topics of importance to the media and communication field. Regarding the topic selection for this year, Dr. Çela said that "fake news", a term that got fame after the presidential election in America, is not just a phenomenon that is mentioned in the circles of journalists but is already a phenomenon that has attracted the attention of media and audience researchers.
Then the speech was received by the Rector of Bedër University College, Prof. dr. Dr. Ferdinand Gjana, who said that accessibility opportunities are increasingly being used by citizens to publish information on the Internet, where distribution in these networks may have different nuances, ranging from positive approaches such as social support for help in producing misinformation content and prejudicial comments. According to him, organization of this format is important as they discuss ways of healthy development of free speech, starting with the critical role that media professionals have.
The Ambassador of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Bernd Borchardt said that the phenomenon of false news has existed since early, but with technological development, its impacts are more apparent. He said that people who are directly affected by this phenomenon suffer the most from the consequences, mentioning a personal case of how his name was part of the phenomenon of false news. As a solution, Mr. Borchard suggested verifying the facts before the news release, empowering the community of media professionals, media education and more media freedom.
Meanwhile, Lutfi Dervishi, stopped at the risk of "fake news". He said that attention should focus on "fake news" as an economic benefit system. Dervishi brought to attention the case of some young people from Macedonia who produced false news against Hillary Clinton in the recent presidential election in the United States, gaining financial gain. According to Mr. Dervishi, the solution should be sought to return to the traditional principles of journalism, paying close attention to the fact that journalists,
Media representatives and media commentators Mark Marku, head of the Department of Journalism and Communication at the University of Tirana, spoke about the need to review the principles of journalism. Professor Marku said that we should not judge a problematic phenomenon as "fake news" starting from the journalism rates of several decades ago. Fatos Hakorja, Roland Zili, Roland Qafoku, Pandi Gjata, Lazar Semini, who said that "fake news" poses a risk not only for the media but also for the essence of democracy. Media leaders and present journalists provided solutions to media education for audiences, control of news sources before publication, and a return to the deontological and professional values of journalism.
Representatives of public relations offices from various agencies and institutions, such as Eva Kushova and Elda Gjoka, said that in this phenomenon the individual is most vulnerable, as the media may have the ability to self-regulate and better manage the free speech.
Throughout the workshop, important discussions took place, which brought additional perspectives on the phenomenon of the false news.
The Debate Club held a meeting between the third-year bachelor's students, represented by Alban Tufa, Enkeleda Bodini, Artjola Cani and first year students in Communication Sciences, namely Melsena Danaglli, Lirije Myftarago and Kushe Responsi. The topic of the debate was: "Does civil society work?"
Both groups, with their preparation, developed a constructive debate bringing examples from the legal, political, economic, media and international spheres. We hope that such debates become a model and example throughout the club's continuity.
The founder and manager of the portal Mundësi.al, Mrs. Edona Daci was invited in the framework of the MarCom seminar cycle. At the meeting with students of Communication Sciences, Daci spoke about the role of technology in disseminating information by taking the opportunity.al portal as an example. During the seminar, "Bedër" students became acquainted with some of the latest data and curiosity about disseminating information on social networks.
Further, Mrs. Dac encouraged students to be searchable and open to new study practices in their field, referring to her experience, challenges in the first steps of entrepreneurship, and opportunities to be utilized. Founder of Opportunity.al presented the students with the novelties that will bring the portal portal and emphasized the activation of young people in seeking opportunities and using as many resources as possible to discover their professional skills.
At the end of the seminar, the students of Communication Sciences had the opportunity to ask about new methods of disseminating information and how to approach the labor market.
The students of the second year of the Master's degree program in Communication Sciences, "Bedër" University College successfully closed their three-month campaign "Another book for Presevo".
Special guests of this activity were the top leaders of the local government in the areas where Albanians live in Serbia, namely the head of the Albanian National Council, Shukri Ymeri, the vice-president Ardita Sinani, the mayor of Bujanovac, Shaip Kamberi, and the representative of Presevo municipality, Almir Shaqiri. There were also missing representatives of the academic world, journalism and civil society.
The activity was conceived in the form of a cultural-artistic program, where he had various ballet performances, performances and songs. The campaign "Another book for Presevo" exceeded the initial objectives for collecting a thousand books, thanks to the contribution of Albanian citizens, schools and publishing houses.
"It's for you" is the first short-acting hyperactivity-sensitizing film, realized with the participation of the students of the "Bedër" University College, having its second appearance for all students at the university premises.
Before the show, the students part of the cast of actors, director and director of the "Build the Future Foundation" gave a short presentation about A.D.H.D, the collaboration in the realization of this film, history, idea and important message that this film conveys.
The film "There for you" is a real story confessed by a mother. History of work, tears, heroism and success, versus son diagnosed with A.D.H.D. (Hyperactivity).
This film, after its 2 successful performances, will continue its tour in other cities in and out of Albania, in order to raise awareness of the society in recognizing and supporting people with special needs. Soon it will be accessible on Youtube.
Head of Communication Sciences Department. Erlis Çela was invited to Television Today 7, in the city of Pogradec, to talk about the opportunities offered by the "Bedër" University College for the new academic year. By knowing graduates mainly about the current university study programs, but also about those that will reopen with the launch of the new academic year. As well as for scholarship opportunities for excellent students and not only, but also for those who can benefit from a social scholarship.
Dr. Erlis Cela also focused on other opportunities provided by the "Bedër" University College, for various internships inside and outside the institution, helping students to become familiar with the profession they have chosen.
Agim Fjolla, Director of Communication at TAP (Trans Adriatic Pipeline), and Laura Zhebo Human Resource Conductor at Dr. Pendl & Dr. Piswanger, held a meeting at "Bedër" University College with representatives from the Department of Communication Sciences to promote the professional practices that TAP offers.
TAP offers this opportunity for practice, starting in April 2018, and is open to all students who are interested in gaining practical experience in one of the most important energy projects in Europe. Practice is a great way to recognize TAP from within and engage in specific industry work. Successful practitioners will then be involved in projects that are appropriate to their interests and skills, and then develop their careers.
The first year students of the Master in Communication Sciences held a public debate on "Online Media, Journalism or Business?" The debate was organized within the subject of "Political Marketing Tools, Techniques and Strategies", based on contemporary methods of learning subjects, as non-formal methods of learning, activation, student independence, and learning being practiced.
Starting from the course project, the class was divided into two groups of 11 students who worked together to provide different arguments in defense of their thesis. Meanwhile, four of the representatives of the two groups present discussed the topic of the debate. Under the moderation of student Donisa Perseku, the first group of members Jani Sinjari, Ervin Muça, Sefer Çela and Lorena Sançon, brought online media protocols as the journalist of today. While the second group of members Arjola Hajdin, Anjeza Nokan, Qemal Shehu and Ermion Jahon defended the idea that online media have become business, tensed to publish more clickable news, bypassing the news quality to generate revenue.
The jury composed of Dr. Erlis Çela, in charge of the Department of Communication Sciences, Doc. Dr. Agron Tufa, as well as Edlira Mali's lecturer, praised the strength of the argument, the presentation, the counter-argument, the references and the overall performance, announcing the winner the group that defended the thesis that online media are journalists. The activity took place in the library environment.