Abstract
In an era of rapidly evolving forms of attacks against the media, mob censorship has emerged as a “game-changer” that has fundamentally transformed the safety, behavior, and professional practices of journalists online. By becoming targets of coordinated attacks, this phenomenon forces journalists to reassess their digital presence and professional strategies. While global research analyzes its scale and consequences, understanding the specific mechanisms and dynamics of this phenomenon in local contexts remains challenging for many reasons. To address this gap and capture the complexity of the phenomenon from the most immediate perspective, this study in Kosovo employs a qualitative methodology through semi-structured interviews with active field journalists. This approach allows for an in-depth and flexible exploration of journalists’ personal experiences, adaptation strategies, and interpretations. The aim of this paper is to identify, through these interviews, systematize, and analyze the patterns of mob censorship, its motivations, and its destructive impact on journalistic practice and public discourse in Kosovo. In this way, the study aims to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of a critical threat to democracy and freedom of the press in the country.
Keywords:Mob censorship, digital mobs, social media, journalists, politics.
Download
