“Bota sot” at 31: the journey from print newspaper to online media

More than three decades have passed since the launch of the national newspaper “Bota sot”, which throughout these years has been identified as a media outlet that has united Albanians wherever they are in the world, addressing their issues and concerns regardless of location.

On its 31st anniversary, “Bota sot”, now operating as an online media outlet, has managed to preserve its readership, credibility and determination to continue its mission.

Regular readers, professors and observers of political developments spoke about the evolution of this newspaper’s relationship with its audience, from the period of traditional print journalism to the era of digital platforms.

According to them, over the past three decades, “Bota sot” has played an important role in shaping and informing Albanian public opinion.

They stress that this media outlet has served as a bridge between Albanians in the homeland and those in the diaspora, bringing reliable information during periods of historical importance. They also underline that editorial independence, professional courage and a commitment to the truth are among the main reasons why the newspaper has remained widely read and respected over the years.

Assessments also include “Bota sot’s” ability to adapt to technological developments and the challenges of the digital age, while preserving its informative role both inside and outside Kosovo.

Kelmendi says the newspaper “Bota sot” was one of the pillars of information at a time when Kosovo was facing a lack of information

On the occasion of the 31st anniversary of the founding of the newspaper “Bota sot”, publicist and analyst Jeton Kelmendi praised the role this media outlet has played over the years in informing the public in Kosovo and beyond.

Kelmendi says that since its founding, “Bota sot” has stood out for its commitment to fair reporting and for its courage in covering topics of public interest.

“I think that ‘Bota sot’ has played an extraordinary role since its founding, namely in informing public opinion. There are several things that initially characterized the work of this newspaper; its approach in the service of fair public opinion and courage are two pillars of this newspaper,” he says.

According to him, the newspaper’s importance was felt especially at a time when Kosovo was experiencing a pronounced lack of information.

“I am talking about the time when it was a newspaper and a period when Kosovo was in an informational half-darkness. It did an extraordinary job,” he says.

Speaking about changes in the media, Kelmendi recalls that over the years the number of media outlets increased and a shift took place from print journalism to digital platforms.

According to him, the closure of print newspapers has been an unfavorable development for the media, even though technology has imposed unavoidable changes in the way information is delivered.

“Something bad happened that should not have happened, the disappearance of newspapers, and this has had a negative impact. Of course, technology has done its part, but there is a very good feeling when the newspaper is printed and you drink your morning coffee with the newspaper,” he says. Kelmendi says he was a regular reader of “Bota sot”, both while living in Kosovo and while living in the diaspora.

“I did not miss the newspaper ‘Bota sot’ for many years, whether when I lived in Kosovo or in the diaspora, I bought it,” he stresses.

However, he notes that today the media operates in a completely different reality, where online portals and social networks have changed the way information is consumed.

Kelmendi adds that “Bota sot” no longer has the same dominant role it once had, as it is now part of a much broader and more competitive media space. According to him, social networks have opened up new possibilities for communication, but at the same time have also brought serious risks to the quality of information.

“If used for good, social media are good, but unfortunately there is misuse and abuse. Untrue things are done and this casts doubt on the news, dimming even the truth,” he says.

In conclusion, Kelmendi says that despite the challenges of the times, “Bota sot” has managed to preserve its continuity and importance in informing the public.

He sees the newspaper as a media outlet that continues to have a historic role not only in Kosovo, but across the entire Albanian-speaking space.

“Be that as it may, ‘Bota sot’ continues to have its historic role in informing not only Kosovo, but the entire nation,” Kelmendi concludes.

Bexheti: “Bota sot” played an irreplaceable role in informing Albanians during the most difficult historical periods

As part of the 31st anniversary of the founding of the newspaper “Bota sot”, professor and publicist Nexhat Bexheti expressed his appreciation for the contribution this media outlet has made over the years to informing Albanians inside and outside the country.

Bexheti says that “Bota sot”, founded in Zurich, Switzerland, by Xhevdet Mazrekaj, was created at a time when freedom of the press was limited and the need for a free and independent voice was essential.

“The newspaper ‘Bota sot’ began as an effort to offer a free and independent voice for Albanians, at a time when freedom of the press was very limited. It brought a new spirit to the media and offered an important alternative during a critical period for Albanians,” he says.

According to him, the newspaper served as a strong connecting link between Albanians in their homeland and those in the diaspora.

“This newspaper more closely resembles a link that connected the Albanian people with the homeland and the diaspora. It conveyed news from the homeland to Albanians wherever they lived,” he says.

Bexheti says that one of “Bota sot’s” greatest assets has been its editorial independence and its positioning away from political influence.

He underlines that the newspaper has consistently stood on the side of national interest and fair information, without favoring political forces.

“The neutrality of the newspaper ‘Bota sot’ is a precious stone of free speech. It has not favored political parties, but rather the news and every Albanian’s right to be informed,” Bexheti says.

Recalling the period of Slobodan Milosevic’s regime, he stresses that “Bota sot” was among the media outlets that opposed propaganda and exposed the disinformation of the time.

“‘Bota sot’ was the first independent Albanian daily newspaper that during Milosevic’s time exposed fake news and the policies that had suppressed Kosovo’s legal institutions,” he says.

The professor and publicist adds that the newspaper did not stop at reporting daily developments, but also contributed to preserving Albanian national identity.

According to Bexheti, its journalists were also active in the international arena, raising the issue of Kosovo in important forums.

“‘Bota sot’ was engaged in preserving national identity through courageous journalism that accepted no compromise with the truth. Its journalists were also active at press conferences at NATO headquarters in Brussels, where they continually raised the issue of Kosovo,” he stresses.

Speaking about the newspaper’s development over the years, Bexheti notes that it has managed to adapt to technological changes and to new forms of information consumption.

He says that the transition to online and digital platforms was a necessary transformation in order to follow global trends and readers’ demands.

“The newspaper ‘Bota sot’, from its launch until today, has undergone transformations because of adapting to readers and following global trends. It continues to keep readers close and to have regular followers,” Bexheti says.

He also highlights the diversity of sections, which according to him have helped enrich the newspaper’s content and maintain public interest.

In the end, Bexheti congratulates the newspaper on its anniversary, expressing the hope that in addition to digital development, print publication will also return in the future.

“It is a pleasure to celebrate the 31st anniversary of ‘Bota sot’. It has left a deep mark on the history of Albanian media and has been and will remain a bastion of freedom of speech and media independence. I hope that in the future publication in written form will also return,” Bexheti concludes.

He also expressed gratitude to the founder, the journalists and the newspaper’s editorial staff, wishing them success and many more anniversaries.