Arben Xhixho
Chief, Albanian Service
Voice of America/
17th Anniversary of Kosova’s Independence at New York City Hall
February 12th 2025
Speaker, Adrienne Adams
Council members,
Kristy Marmorato
David Carr
Oswald Feliz
Kamilla Hanks
Robert Holden
Lynn Schulman
Ambassadors,
Suela Janina
Blerim Reka
Clergy, Imam Edin Gjoni
It is an honor to be recognized today, and it is a privilege to speak also on behalf of my other colleagues, distinguished journalists, for the role that Voice of America, together with the other Albanian American media, have played in covering events related to Kosova on both sides of the Atlantic.
Voice of America, and other Albanian American media organizations, honored here today, have really been instrumental in serving as a bridge connecting Albanians in the Balkans with the vibrant Albanian American community in U.S.
While Voice of America is not the oldest Albanian American media, that honor goes to Dielli, for sure it has been the most popular US based media, broadcasting in Albanian to its overseas audience.
Albanian Service is among the first Services established at VOA. Its first broadcast aired on May 13, 1943. Then, in 1945, after the Second World War, the broadcast discontinued to resumed again on May 13, 1951, during the Cold War, and since then, it has been on air every single day, fomenting the hopes for democracy to the people in Albania that were living under communism, and keeping up the hopes for freedom to the Albanians in the former Yugoslavia, that were faced with an existential threat.
Voice of America, that had enjoyed an unprecedented 70% listenership rate in the early ‘90ies, during the end of communism in Albania, became even more of an household name in Kosova during the conflict in the Balkans, in the late 1990s. During those years, the eyes and ears of the Albanians in Kosova were turned towards US, which they saw as the savoir of their homeland. Voice of America was with them during those challenging times, giving them hope when the Albanians were forced out of their homes.
Undeniably, it was the Albanian American community, that changed the minds of the American policymakers, educating them about Kosova and the plight of its people. History will tell, but one might make the point, that that has been one of the most consequential efforts of our community and its leaders. Without it, there would have been no independence of Kosova, that we are celebrating here today.
But make no mistake, the work is not done yet. Independence and democracy need to be protected. Nothing can be taken for granted.
We the media, have an important role to play, even more today, when the truth is being attacked from all directions.
Voice of America, as the largest U.S. international broadcaster, provides trusted and objective news and information in 49 languages to an audience of more than 362 million people around the world.
We have a noble mission, to inform, engage, and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy.
We do it by telling American stories and suppling objective news and information, that is in high demand, but in short supply.
We should never forget the famous words of one of the icons of American journalism Edward Murrow:
“To be persuasive, We must be believable,
To be believable, We must be credible,
To be credible, We must be truthful.”
Thank you again for recognizing the mission and the important work of the media.