Elez Biberaj 'turns off the microphone' of the Radio that gave hope to Albanians: Farewell message from "Voice of America"

Politiko.al

Albanian-American Elez Biberaj, journalist and leader of the Voice of America, has left the microphone of one of the most influential radio stations in the world after 43 years of work. Biberaj retires on December 31 of this year after a career spanning several decades and with numerous achievements in journalism and as an author of books.  

Elez Biberaj was born on November 15, 1952, in a village inhabited by Albanians in Plavë, Montenegro, a year after his parents were forced to leave their native Albania as a result of the totalitarian regime, according to Wikipedia. He attended the first four years of elementary school in the village of Hot in the Serbo-Croatian language, while he attended grades five through eight in Gjakovë. After enrolling in high school in Prizren in January 1968, together with his family, he emigrated to Italy. Six months later, he arrived with his family in America.

Biberaj started his work as a journalist in the Voice of America - the Albanian language editorial office, in December 1980. Here, after a few years, in 1989, he took the position of editor in charge of the Albanian language editorial office, while in 2004, he was appointed editor in charge of editorials in European languages.

Biberaj managed to become the General Director of VOA for a short time. He remains one of the most successful and well-known Albanian-Americans in America and one of the lobbyists for the Albanian issue.

He was essential for connecting the new anti-communist opposition of the early 90s with members of Congress and other American policymakers.

The editors of Politiko wish Mr. Elez.

 

Biberaj's note to friends and colleagues:

October 30, 2023

Dear friends and colleagues,

I am pleased to announce that after a 43-year career with VOA, I have decided to retire on December 31, 2023. Working for such an organization has been the most incredible privilege and pride of my life—exceptional media. I will always be grateful to the Voice of America for the opportunities it has created for me.

VOA's mission and maintaining the highest standards of journalism have been central to my professional journey. Throughout my career spanning more than four decades, six presidential administrations, and more than ten VOA directors, I have tried to uphold the values ​​that have made VOA one of the most recognized and respected media organizations. Reliable in the world. I have had the privilege of working in various roles, from radio journalist in the Albanian Service (1980-1982) to analyst for Soviet and Eastern European Affairs in the Press Directorate of the USIA (United States Information Agency) (1982-1986 ), Head of the Albanian Service (1986-2004), Chief Editor of the Eurasia Directory (2004-2005), and most recently, since 2005, Director of the Eurasia Directory. I also served as Interim Director of VOA from June to December 2020.

I could not have hoped for a more intellectually and professionally rewarding career. The Voice of America allowed me to closely follow some of the most significant world events, from the Cold War, the overthrow of communism and the birth of democracy in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, the Balkan wars, the integration of Eastern European countries into Euro institutions -Atlantic, Russia's return to an authoritarian system and, more recently, its brutal aggression against Ukraine. I feel proud and privileged to have worked alongside many esteemed colleagues in fulfilling VOA's noble mission of delivering accurate and objective news and information to a global audience, spreading democratic values ​​, and telling America's unparalleled story. I feel very proud of our remarkable achievements.

Recent developments in the world, the spread of disinformation and misinformation, the violation of press freedom, the rapid progress of technology, and the increasingly frequent use of artificial intelligence have fundamentally changed the world landscape of journalism. VOA operates in a very different world today. Still, the mission of spreading freedom and democracy and empowering audiences with accurate, objective, and balanced news and information has never been more vital.

With deep gratitude, I want to thank the dedicated and tireless team for fulfilling the mission of the Eurasia Directorate. Managing such a talented group of journalists has been a special pleasure. I am also grateful to friends and colleagues in other areas of VOA for their unwavering support.

Heartfelt thanks to colleagues in senior management and across the organization who worked closely with me during the six-month period that I served as VOA's Interim Director in 2020. It was a distinct honor to lead The Voice of America during one of the most turbulent times in its history. I am very proud that in the face of relentless and frontal attacks on VOA's integrity, we successfully navigated an extremely challenging maze and vigorously defended our editorial independence.

I have to admit, even after 43 wonderful years, it's not easy to say goodbye to VOA. But I leave with deep pride and boundless gratitude for our excellent work, which I am sure you will continue to do. VOA has become a very efficient and agile media organization today, producing high-quality journalism. VOA's reach and influence have never been greater than it is today. As long as it remains committed to its core value of promoting freedom and democracy and producing independent, fact-based journalism, VOA will continue to be a source of hope and a shining beacon of truth for millions. Worldwide.

 

With deep respect,

Dr. Elez Biberaj
Director

Directory of Eurasia

Voice of America