The Intricacies of Domestic Cyber Threats to Independent Media and CSOs in the WB6

Pegasus and Predator spyware, mass surveillance, personal data leakages, disinformation, deep fake and information manipulation are seemingly becoming a reality throughout the Western Balkans societies. These threats, coupled with diminishing levels of democracy, press freedoms, and human rights violations, are becoming a normalised reality. The aim of this panel discussion is to formalise knowledge and experience and contribute to an informed and educated public discourse about the emerging cyber threats initiated by national governments and entities related to them towards independent media and civil society organisations in the Western Balkans. The panel discussion will take participants into a journey of discussing the current cyber ecosystem in the WB6, cyber-attacks towards media and civil society organisations in the WB6. It will discuss how to address governments’ instigated attacks and build cyber resilience, and how cyberthreats to media and civil society organisations impact the wider ecosystem in WB6. Panelists will share both research and real-life cases to illustrate the overall situation throughout the region. By examining the intersection of cybersecurity threats and democratic erosion in the Western Balkans, this panel seeks to contribute to shaping a more regional approach to dealing with cyber threats.