Xhevat Mustafa: How “Bota Sot” Became One of the Most Powerful Voices in Albanian Media

The newspaper “Bota Sot” is today marking another important date in its history in Albanian media, having consolidated over the years as one of the most influential voices in the Albanian-language press.

On the occasion of this anniversary, commentator Xhevat Mustafa said that “Bota Sot” is celebrating the 31st anniversary of its founding, a moment which, according to him, carries special weight not only for its founders and editorial staff, but also for readers in the Albanian diaspora and across Albanian lands.

In a statement to “Bota Sot,” he recalled that the newspaper quickly established itself in Switzerland and beyond, but at the same time also faced opposition, especially from Serbia and Belgrade, because of its positions and reporting on developments in Kosovo during the years of war and repression against Albanians.

“‘Bota Sot’ is today celebrating its 31st birthday! This is a joyful occasion for the first publishing team and all the way to those of these final days of June 2026. But also for its first readers and those ‘31-year-olds’ who have read it from page 1 to the last, from the first issue prepared to a notably high professional standard to today’s issue. It is a fact that cannot be disputed that ‘Bota Sot,’ from its very first issue and those that followed, won over tens of thousands of Albanian eyes, minds and hearts in Switzerland and throughout the Kosovo diaspora and the wider Albanian diaspora, as well as in Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro… Therefore, many of them began their days with a copy of ‘Bota Sot’! At the same time, especially in the climate of those years, even though it was based in Switzerland, it also ‘won’ or made many enemies, especially in Serbia and Belgrade! They were alarmed by every issue and every one of its editorial, analytical, research and social articles… Even more so by those writings, analyses, studies, correspondence, reports, photographs, photomontages… that exposed the typically medieval barbarity of the Yugoslav and Serbian authorities, whether in military, paramilitary or civilian uniform, against Albanians in Kosovo in that period, when Milošević deployed large forces to Kosovo and carried out massacres that shook not only Albanians, but also political institutions and democratic governments not only in Europe,’” he said.

Mustafa further assessed that “Bota Sot” in a very short time became a powerful forum for Albanian free thought and free speech, where citizens, intellectuals and journalists openly expressed their views on Kosovo and aspirations for freedom and independence.

“Very quickly, the newspaper ‘Bota Sot’ would become a powerful forum for free Albanian speech and thought, journalistic, intellectual and that of ordinary citizens. Many of them would freely express on its pages their opinions and feelings, their contempt and hatred for the Yugoslav occupiers, as well as their belief and hopes for the freedom and independence of their Kosovo. Likewise, ‘Bota Sot,’ with Albanian publicists and intellectuals, with minds and pens such as those of the newspaper’s and Kosovo’s martyrs Bekim Kastrati, Enver Maloku, Xhemail Mustafa, and editorialists and analyst-commentators Abdi Baleta, Skënder and Elida Buçpapaj, Emin Azemi, Agim Doçi, Milazim Krasniqi, Melazim Koci, Sylejman Aliu, Gani Mehmetaj, Idriz Morina, Enver Bytyçi, Idriz Zeqiraj… became a forum, school and informative, awareness-raising and emancipatory academy for the defense and internationalization of the Kosovo issue and of the entire Albanian nation in Switzerland and in international institutions in this country historically friendly toward the Albanian nation and Albanians, but also in Germany, Austria, Belgium, the US…”, he added.

According to him, during its most successful periods, the newspaper took on the dimensions of a national institution of free and independent information, becoming part of the daily life of Albanian families and an important source for information, patriotic education and civic education.

“‘Bota Sot,’ by meeting the ever-growing demands of its readers, achieved a circulation, sales reach, mass readership and major influence that any other Albanian newspaper would have struggled to match. It reached and was read with attention and interest in Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, the Presheva Valley, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Scandinavia, America — in short, wherever the Albanian diaspora was present.

In its most successful and at the same time most difficult years, ‘Bota Sot’ was transformed into a national institution of free, independent, fast and accurate information, and of Albanian identity; of patriotic and civic education. It entered as a much-desired and eagerly awaited guest into Albanian homes and families, into venues with Albanian owners and customers, into institutional offices, into every environment and space where the fate of Kosovo and the Albanian nation was felt and discussed wholeheartedly,” he said.

He also stressed that throughout its 31 years of existence, “Bota Sot” has faced many challenges and difficulties, but without deviating from its orientation and identity as a media outlet of Albanian national consciousness and free speech.

According to Mustafa, the newspaper has preserved its independence, critical spirit and commitment to the truth, without falling under the influence of power or political interests.

“During its 31 years of life in the Albanian, Swiss and international media arena, ‘Bota Sot,’ like most other newspapers and radio-television media, has gone through many challenges, crises, changes and difficulties. But even though in a ‘sea mostly with fierce waves,’ it never lost or stained its orientation, spirit, character, face or essence. It remained a newspaper of Albanian identity and freedom, of free, accurate and objective thought… It was, remained and is a beloved and respected newspaper of Kosovo and of the entire Albanian nation, of the whole Albanian world. A newspaper of the day, of daily life and of historical memory. A newspaper of the truth that often shakes and hurts deeply, but also one that does not remain silent out of fear of pressure, threats or dangers… Therefore, during its 31 years of existence, the newspaper ‘Bota Sot’ also established itself as an independent media outlet that was neither sold to nor bought by any political boss or any government, and that did not spare them public criticism for mistakes, abuses, failures, scandals and disgraces… As one of the collaborators from the early years of ‘Bota Sot,’ with around 28 years of frequent cooperation through opinions, analyses and statements, together with all the journalists of the distant past and those of today, today I too rejoice and celebrate with mind and heart. Therefore, in one voice or chorus with them, my sincere wish naturally bursts forth: Happy 31st anniversary of the birth of ‘Bota Sot,’ my newspaper and that of all Albanians! May it live 100 more years, filled with success and joy for the publishers, the current staff and future staffs!”, he underlined.

In conclusion, Mustafa, who is one of “Bota Sot’s” early contributors and has around 28 years of cooperation with it, said that he experiences the newspaper’s 31st anniversary with joy, considering it an important part of his professional engagement and of the work of journalists over the years.

“As one of the collaborators from the early years of ‘Bota Sot,’ with around 28 years of frequent cooperation through opinions, analyses and statements, together with all the journalists of the distant past and those of today, today I too rejoice and celebrate with mind and heart. Therefore, in one voice or chorus with them, my sincere wish naturally bursts forth: happy 31st anniversary of the birth of ‘Bota Sot,’ my newspaper and that of all Albanians! May it live 100 more years, filled with success and joy for the publishers, the current staff and future staffs!”, Mustafa concluded for “Bota Sot.”