The workshop was held in an interactive, hands-on format, allowing 11 ATA journalists to engage directly in the verification process through concrete examples, the analysis of media materials and collaborative exercises.

The session centered on practical experience and the exchange of knowledge regarding the challenges newsrooms face in a media environment increasingly shaped by technology.

During the workshop, the DPA journalist Stefan Voss demonstrated how to identify AI-generated media and distinguish authentic content from manipulations. The session also focused heavily on verifying social media posts and eyewitness accounts, both of which are critical sources in modern event reporting.

During the workshop, there were highlighted visual verification techniques, starting with reverse image search to track a photograph’s origin, publication timeline and original context. Beyond technical tools, the participants learned to prioritize manual content analysis. By leveraging close observation, critical thinking and journalistic instinct, journalists can effectively spot inconsistencies, evaluate source credibility and prevent the spread of misinformation.

Through practical exercises, ATA journalists examined diverse materials and collaborated to build a robust, step-by-step verification process. This workflow goes beyond checking published content to thoroughly vetting sources, cross-referencing information and gathering evidence to confirm or refute authenticity.

A key takeaway from the training was that, while technological tools are useful, they cannot replace a journalist’s professional judgment.

Effective verification requires, first and foremost, careful analysis and the forming of the right questions—before relying on specialized software or applications designed to detect manipulations.

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence, paired with the seamless generation and spread of digital content, has made information verification a defining hurdle for contemporary journalism.

In this context, building the professional capacity of journalists to identify disinformation and vet sources is crucial for ensuring the accuracy and credibility of media reporting.

The workshop also served as an opportunity to exchange professional experience and knowledge; it fostered collaboration and the adoption of new editorial workflows, all in the service of responsible journalism grounded in facts and professional standards.

ATA maintains a cooperative partnership with DPA spanning more than three decades, marked by regular content and expertise exchanges. This synergy extends to the European Newsroom (ENR) platform, which unites European agencies to advance collaborative reporting, media training and high editorial standards. Established in 1949, DPA stands as Germany’s premier independent news agency, backed by a worldwide correspondent network and a core commitment to objective fact-checking and editorial freedom.

/k.s/j.p/p.s./

In a social media post, Rama stated that the Archive Museum at the General Directorate of Archives is a new space where history and technology converge and where the visitors have the opportunity to discover the past through documents, images, audio and interactive elements.

Opened at the General Directorate of Archives, the new Archive Museum brings history and documentary heritage closer to the public, especially young people.

Moving beyond traditional exhibits, the Archive Museum brings history to life through primary sources. The museum narrates the evolution of Albanian society using the authentic records, photographs, maps and manuscripts that documented it as it happened.

Inside the museum halls, the visitors can have a taste of rare documents and materials from very close, while the exhibition creates a narrative that begins with early documents and traces the various developments in Albania’s social, cultural and institutional life.

Tirana’s newest cultural space, the Archive Museum, bypasses traditional artifacts to tell the nation’s story through authentic documentation. History is revealed firsthand through a curated preservation of original letters, photographs, maps, and historical records.

/p.s./

For this edition, held in conjunction with the 20th Albanology Seminar, the DPA showcased its publications spanning years of work, focusing on significant periods and figures in the nation’s history. The materials displayed at the DPA stand also included studies on archival methodology within the Albanian-speaking regions.

Today, the DPA will conclude its participation in the fair by presenting its latest publications: the monographs *Nikollë Bej Ivanaji: His Dimension in Archival Documents (1879–1951) * and *Guide to Italian-Language Documents at the Central State Archives (AQSH): Personal and Family Collections*.

Attending the opening of the fair yesterday was President of the Academy of Sciences of Albania, Academician Skënder Gjinushi, and the Rector of the University of Tetovo, Prof. Dr. Kushtrim Ahmeti. This fair, which brought together publishers, institutions, scientific bodies and representatives of several Albanian universities was organized by the University of Tetovo through the Directorate of the Albanology Seminar. /j.p/p.s./

Building on the historically close ties between Albania and China, the discussions focused on forging cooperative links between their respective national archives. The meeting addressed key areas of mutual interest, including document and knowledge exchange, joint cultural initiatives, advancements in digitization, and professional capacity-building for archival staff.

Recently, Rrokaj has also met with Kathryn Hammond, the Acting Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States in Albania, alongside religious leader Mark Allyn Bragg and representatives from FamilySearch. This collaboration aims to enhance public access to genealogical research and family history tracing. Enriching Albania’s archival collections and unlocking new avenues for Albanological research remain core pillars of the DPA’s mission. Consequently, institutional representatives continue to take proactive steps to acquire and preserve historical documents of vital interest to Albanian heritage and academic studies.

The DPA noted that collaboration with counterpart archives and international institutions aims to expand information exchange, preserve historical documentation and enhance accessibility for both researchers and the general public.

/r.e/a.f/p.s./

Hosted within the historical walls of Tirana Castle, this exhibition invites the public on a visual journey from the inaugural 1920s transmission halls to modern digital technologies. It masterfully highlights the profound connection between technological evolution and the social and political shifts that have shaped Albania.

This is journey that beautifully reflects an Albania in transition: deeply historic, yet enthusiastically open to the world.

Archival materials highlight ATA’s central role in documenting and spreading information, tracking the evolution of news as both a professional practice and a vital link between the state, media, and the public.

Photojournalists are the ultimate witnesses of their time. Their work and archival records demonstrate Albania’s early 20th-century connection to global information networks.

The establishment and consolidation of ATA holds a unique place in history as the nation’s central hub for news production and dissemination. Pioneering figures, most notably the first director Mihal Sherko, spearheaded efforts to build an organized information system that connected Albania to international developments.

The exhibition highlights the 1990s as a pivotal transition for Albanian media, marked by the arrival of pluralism, the birth of new publications and a radical shift in news production and distribution.

As a full member of premier alliances—including ENR, EANA, AMAN, and ABNA-SE—ATA partners with over 35 international agencies like AFP, ANSA, DPA, and EFE to deliver comprehensive daily regional and global coverage.

ATA is currently digitizing and cataloging its extensive archive of over 300,000 historic images and negatives (1913–present). This, along with thousands of bulletins dating back to 1945, ensures the preservation of this invaluable national photographic heritage.

Opening at 11:00 AM at Tirana Castle on Europe Day, this exhibition explores the history of Albanian media through the lens of public information and communication values. The exhibition will remain open to the public for several days. /p.s./

According to the official data of Durrës Port Authority, in July of this year, ferries have performed 110 round-trip cruises with about 106 thousand passengers.

Since the beginning of the year, the ferries have been used by 238,438 passengers with a total of 68,168 vehicles.

In the 7- month period of 2021, ferries have performed 545 round trips. //a.i/

People from the US, Albania, Hong Kong, Lebanon, Macao, Macedonia, Serbia and Taiwan should have an easier time getting into the bloc, the Portuguese EU presidency told dpa.

However, it remains up to each EU member state to decide exactly which requirements it imposes on travellers. It is also unclear exactly when the new travel arrangements will be implemented.

At the outset of the pandemic, all EU countries apart from Ireland prohibited non-essential travel, except for in a few circumstances. Non-EU states Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Iceland also took part in the entry ban.

The eight countries newly approved by EU ambassadors for freer travel join the ranks of Australia, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand.

Wednesday’s decision is to be formally adopted by the end of the week, according to a spokesperson for the Portuguese EU presidency.

There is no clear indication so far that a reciprocal US decision easing entry for European travellers is imminent.

The US relaxed its outward travel guidance to its own citizens for EU destinations including Germany last week, but left an entry ban for travellers from the European Schengen area and a number of other regions untouched.

/a.i/