{"id":21749,"date":"2024-06-09T10:00:55","date_gmt":"2024-06-09T10:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ndiqparate.al\/?p=21749"},"modified":"2024-10-08T10:47:58","modified_gmt":"2024-10-08T10:47:58","slug":"empowering-fact-based-journalism-through-open-and-linked-data-media-may-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ndiqparate.al\/?p=21749&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"Empowering fact-based journalism through Open and Linked Data – Media, May 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Even throughout May, dozens of media reports in newspapers, television screens or web-portals were written based on evidences and information extracted from AIS \/ Open Data Albania databases. The organization continues to strengthen fact-based and quality journalism despite the struggle to secure\u00a0 the continuation its programs targeting the use of Open Data for Anti-corruption efforts. We have routinely assisted media representatives through info sessions, training or meetings held at the organization’s offices. Every week, journalists are being supplied with Open Data and well-structured LinkedData on public tenders, public expenditures and businesses that were awarded the status of public contractors.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Info-sessions with Journalists. (1-2 each month). The Albanian Institute of Science hosts journalists in its premises every other week, during which they report and use our data to conduct Investigative Articles. Most journalists use information related to Tenders and Red Flag Assessment in tenders. These Info sessions are preceded by announcements on social network and a WhatsApp communication group. Their result is related to the distribution of the information contained in the Databases [Open Contracting Albania Project \u2013 Impact on the Media \u2013 Albanian Institute of Science (ais.al<\/a>) https:\/\/ais.al\/new\/en\/open-contracting-albania<\/a> project-impact-on-the-media\/ ], preparation of media articles and television stories. Almost every media outlet in the country has at least once made a media report based on the information present in our Public Procurement Database. (see List of Media Titles, Articles quoted in the Media). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having access to well-structured, fast, complete and transparent information over public spending and public contracting, journalists build stories\/reports based on data or are able to do fact checking. This type of quality journalism demolishes propaganda, produces indisputable investigation pieces and sheds light on cases of conflict of interest, abuse of office or irregularities. Among the Media Reports for the month of May, we list: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. OpenDataAlbania (AIS\u2019s main project) finds Prime Minister Rama’s figures on public procurement inaccurate<\/strong> <\/li>
  2. The Voice of America, the Albanian-language reporting broadcaster, published on May 9th<\/sup> a chronicle titled: OpenDataAlbania (AIS\u2019s main project) finds Prime Minister Rama’s figures on public procurement inaccurate<\/strong> <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    The news is built as a Fact Checking report. The Prime Minister’s statement on the wide distribution of public contracts in a large number of business entities is confronted with statistical data of a ten-year period monitored by the team that works for AIS\u2019s Transparent Databases in the Public Procurement sector,  shortly referred as Open Procurement Albania. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Contrary to the Prime Minister’s propaganda about 25,000 businesses that have been awarded public tenders, the organization can confirm that the number of Businesses that benefit from public money through public contracting, all in all does not exceed 4,000.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"This<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Link video<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Link of News<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The data upon which this media report was build on was published on the Data.al website. Link<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3. CNA media investigates senior public officials in potential Conflict of Interest, connected to family business success<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Under Investigation by SPAK\/ tens of millions of euros turnover and profit from Veliaj’s brother’s company <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The news investigates the growing economic performance of a business, which follows the rotation in the Municipality of Tirana administration after the 2015 Elections <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Media reporting uses as evidence the Gogel<\/a> Business Passport  crated in our Open Corporates Albania database. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    News<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Open Corporates (ownership) database Albania is a database created to enable data tracking, as well as improve and disclose (disclose) data on Ownership and Conflict of Interest for Businesses that have been awarded public contracts or have connections with important sectors and incumbents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3. The Telegraf Newspaper published on its front page an Article on Budgetary Payments for PPP programs or Inefficient Concessions under investigation by SPAK <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In its reporting, Telegraf uses data from an Analysis produced by Open Data Albania on payments from the State Treasury for these programs. More specifically: Albanian citizens\u2019 taxes in the Budget will pay for Concessionary PPP contracts .  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    News Link<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    4.The Balkanweb News Portal and News 24 TV published an Investigation entitled \u201cDoubts about fictitious competition\/ OSHEE tenders in the Energy (sector) are won by the same company, the other company only in the race to favor the winner <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Link<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    This investigation is triggered by the list of procedures with a risk of competition abuse, produced by our Open Procurement Albania Platform, in which tendering procedures are scanned every day and those that present a risk for inequality and competitiveness are marked with RedFlag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    AIS Promoter of Open Data for Albania thanks fellow journalists and media editors who conveyed to their audience concerns or struggles AIS\/OpenDataAlbania is encountering in securing funds to implement Watchdog and Anti-corruption projects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    BalkanWeb: Anti-corruption projects in the absence of funds and donors. The AIS organization asks for help, OpenSpendingAlbania is in danger of being closed due to lack of funds <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Link<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n


    Economic magazine Monitor: The unique portal with data on budget payments “Open Spending Albania” is closed due to lack of funds<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Link<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Web Portal Eskluzive<\/strong>: Alarm\/ Closure of Open Data for “lack of funds” a heavy blow for transparency, media and democracy!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Link<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Lapsi.al: The “Open Spending Albania” portal with data on budget payments is closed due to lack of funds<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Linku<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n


    Faktor.al: Anti-corruption projects in the absence of funds and Donator! AIS organization asks for help, OpenSpendingAlbania is in danger of being closed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Link<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    OraNews: The unique portal with data on budget payments “Open Spending Albania” is closed due to lack of funds<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Link<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    BoldNews: Lack of funds, the closure of the “Open Procurement Albania” portal is at risk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Link<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Politiko: Anti-corruption projects lack funds, AIS asks for help, OpenSpendingAlbania risks being closed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Link<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    RD News.al: Open Data Albania – Institute for the benefit of transparency and accountability<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Link<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Syri TV: Anti-corruption projects with a lack of funds, the organization AIS seeks support<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Link<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Dosja.al: The portal with data on budget payments “Open Spending Albania” is closed due to lack of funds<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Link<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Even throughout May, dozens of media reports in newspapers, television screens or web-portals were written based on evidences and information extracted from AIS \/ Open Data Albania databases. The organization continues to strengthen fact-based and quality journalism despite the struggle to secure\u00a0 the continuation its programs targeting the use of Open Data for Anti-corruption efforts. We have routinely assisted media representatives through info sessions, training… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":21730,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[55],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/ndiqparate.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/image-7.png?fit=1162%2C886&ssl=1","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":22767,"url":"https:\/\/ndiqparate.al\/?p=22767&lang=en","url_meta":{"origin":21749,"position":0},"title":"Info-sessions with Journalists: Investigative journalists use data, evidence, and visualizations from the Open Procurement Albania database for LGUs - Examples","date":"August 20, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"The Albanian Institute of Science hosts journalists in its premises every other week, during which they report and use our data to conduct Investigative Articles. Most journalists use information related to Tenders and Red Flag Assessment in tenders. These Info sessions are preceded by announcements on social network and a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "ODA in Press Releases"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ndiqparate.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/IMG-20241024-WA00161.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":23150,"url":"https:\/\/ndiqparate.al\/?p=23150&lang=en","url_meta":{"origin":21749,"position":1},"title":"Empowering Fact-Based Journalism - A DataThon with Investigative Journalists. Instilling the Watchdog Culture","date":"November 4, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"A DataThon for media professionals, held on November 1-2, 2024 in Berat, brought together 25 leading investigative journalists from prestigious TV\u2019s and newspapers, such as Top Channel; A2 CNN; Klan News; Syri Tv; News 24; ABC News; Panorama; Vizion Plus; MCN TV etc. For two consecutive days, journalists, mentored by\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "ODA in Press Releases"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/ndiqparate.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/20241102_134339-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":25214,"url":"https:\/\/ndiqparate.al\/?p=25214&lang=en","url_meta":{"origin":21749,"position":2},"title":"Closing Session of the Open Data Fellowship Program - Youth Empowerment Against Corruption and DataThon Albania 2025","date":"May 1, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The closing session of the Open Data Fellowship - Youth Empowerment Against Corruption program was held as the final activity of the program cycle, bringing together fellowship participants, journalists, and activists. During this meeting, the results of the work carried out throughout the program were presented, as well as civil\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "ODA in Press Releases"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ndiqparate.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/MixCollage-30-Apr-2026-03-09-PM-3641.jpg-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":23872,"url":"https:\/\/ndiqparate.al\/?p=23872&lang=en","url_meta":{"origin":21749,"position":3},"title":"Applications Open for Internship and Training through Open Data, 4th Edition (April \u2013 October 2025)","date":"March 13, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"OpenDataFellowship \u2013 Youth Empowerment Against Corruption 2025 AIS, the organization promoting Open Data Albania, invites students and activists who wish to participate in an Internship and Training Program on Open Data usage to apply for the OpenDataFellowship \u2013 Youth Empowerment Against Corruption 2025. The internship is open to university students\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "ODA in Press Releases"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ndiqparate.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Photo-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":23182,"url":"https:\/\/ndiqparate.al\/?p=23182&lang=en","url_meta":{"origin":21749,"position":4},"title":"Tracking Corruption through Open Data and Evidence. Training for activists and journalists","date":"November 13, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"A total of 85 young activists and journalists have been trained by the AIS organization on the practical aspects of Tracking Corruption through Open Data and Evidence-Based Data. The final session of this training took place on October 11-12th, as part of the activities of the EU4 Rule of Law:\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "ODA in Press Releases"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ndiqparate.al\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-1.png?fit=1165%2C1025&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":25196,"url":"https:\/\/ndiqparate.al\/?p=25196&lang=en","url_meta":{"origin":21749,"position":5},"title":"Observations on Issues and Concerns Impacting the Integrity and Security of the Elections. Parliamentary Elections \u2013 May 11, 2025.","date":"May 5, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Prepared by AIS \u2013 Promoter of Open Data Albania This document presents a series of concerns related to the integrity of the electoral process and the right to vote in the context of May 11th, 2025, Parliamentary Elections, as identified by AIS. 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