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Gazeta Express
Gazeta Express
Gazeta Express
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Gazeta Express is a newsportal owned by MediaWorks in the Republic of Kosovo.

Key Information

History

[edit]

A new media company founded in 2005 by a group of senior editors and journalists with financing from IPKO, Kosovo's leading private telecommunications company. Initial group of founders include: Berat Buzhala, Petrit Selimi, Dukagjin Gorani, Ilir Mirena, Astrit Gashi, Arlinda Desku, Andrew Testa, Gjergj Filipaj, Bul Salihu, etc. First Editor-in-chief was Dukagjin Gorani (2005), followed by Berat Buzhala (2007). Company's first CEO was Petrit Selimi (2005), and was later followed by Baton Haxhiu (2007) and Shpend Jakupi (2010-2013). Current CEO is Leonard Kërquki.[1].

See also

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References

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Gazeta Express

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Gazeta Express is a leading news portal in , owned by Media Works Sh.p.k., that delivers , in-depth analyses, interviews, and reports covering local, regional, and international events primarily in the , with editions available in English and German. Established in 2005 as a print by Media Works Sh.p.k., a private media company founded by a group of prominent journalists in partnership with , the outlet quickly became a key player in Kosovo's media landscape by employing prominent journalists and focusing on well-researched reporting. In 2010, several key figures departed, but Gazeta Express continued to expand its influence. By 2013, it discontinued its print edition amid the digital shift and fully transitioned to an platform, which as of 2023 attracts the highest among Kosovo's sites and positions it as the most popular media outlet in the by audience reach. The portal features diverse sections including (Lajme), sports, entertainment (Roze), (Shneta), and , while maintaining a commitment to timely and relevant content that shapes public discourse in . It operates without government subsidies, relying on and digital revenue, and extends its presence through official channels on , , and , where it engages a broad audience across the region.

Founding and Ownership

Establishment

Gazeta Express was founded in 2005 by a group of senior journalists, including Berat Buzhala, Petrit Selimi, and Dukagjin Gorani, amid the post-war context in where there was a pressing need for independent to promote professional standards and pluralism in a fragile media environment. The initiative aimed to address the challenges of transitioning from wartime media constraints to a more open, accountable press following the 1999 conflict. The newspaper received initial financing from Telecommunications LLC, Kosovo's leading private telecommunications company at the time, which enabled its establishment as an accessible tabloid-format daily. It launched in with Dukagjin Gorani serving as the first editor-in-chief, focusing on delivering timely news to a broad readership in the capital and beyond. Early operations were based in , where the headquarters were located to centralize production and distribution. The publication adopted a primarily Albanian-language approach, supplemented by English elements to reach international audiences and reflect Kosovo's multicultural context.

Ownership Structure

is published by MediaWorks Sh.p.k., a established in 2004 as the dedicated publishing entity for the outlet, which launched the in 2005. Initially, the company was wholly owned by , a Kosovo-based telecommunications firm, which supported the launch of the newspaper amid the post-war media landscape. Berat Buzhala served as the primary owner and key stakeholder of MediaWorks from December 2013 through much of the 2010s, after divested its full ownership, holding significant shares that positioned him as the dominant figure in the company's direction. A graduate who began his career in 2000, Buzhala was also a former member of the (PDK), serving as a deputy in of and on the party's steering committee before resigning his membership. From December 18, 2013, to January 1, 2018, shares were held by Berat Buzhala (50%), Petrit Selimi (25%), and Ilir Mirena (25%). From April 2018 to April 2021, Buzhala held 35%, alongside Vjollca Musa (25%), Artan Lahaj (25%), and Leonard Kërçuku (15%). Under his leadership, MediaWorks transitioned to full private operation following the initial support, with no ongoing external financial dependencies reported in subsequent years. In April 2021, control of MediaWorks shifted when its shares were acquired by A.B.C. Management Sh.p.k., an Albanian company, on April 27, 2021, marking Buzhala's departure from ownership and operational roles. The transaction, valued but not publicly disclosed in detail, transferred full ownership to the buyer, with Kërçuku appointed as the new managing director. Subsequently, A.B.C. Management transferred the asset to Media A.B.C. Holding B.V., a Dutch-registered entity headquartered in the . As of 2023, MediaWorks remains under the ownership of Media A.B.C. Holding B.V., with no state involvement or public funding. The holding company is controlled by the Allajbeu family, Albanian citizens including Klodian Allajbeu (primary stakeholder), his wife Iris Allajbeu, and their children (E.A., A.A., and I.A.), who collectively hold the shares through family-linked entities. This structure maintains the outlet's private status, connected to the family's broader media interests, such as ABC News in .

Editorial Leadership and Operations

Key Figures and Management Changes

Gazeta Express was founded in 2005 under the leadership of its first , Dukagjin Gorani, who played a pivotal role in shaping the outlet's initial journalistic standards as a daily in . Gorani, a seasoned and media expert, served in this position during the publication's inaugural year, focusing on establishing a tabloid-style format that emphasized investigative reporting and accessibility. Concurrently, Petrit Selimi served as the inaugural CEO, contributing to the early strategic development of the media company as one of its founders and guiding its launch in the post-independence media landscape. Selimi's tenure emphasized innovative approaches to build readership in a nascent democracy. In 2007, Berat Buzhala succeeded Gorani as editor-in-chief, marking the first major editorial transition as the newspaper expanded its influence. That same year, Baton Haxhiu replaced Selimi as CEO, overseeing operational growth during a period when Gazeta Express solidified its position among Kosovo's leading dailies. Haxhiu, a prominent , managed the company's diversification into related media ventures. By 2010, Shpend Jakupi assumed the CEO role, holding it until 2013 and navigating the outlet's adaptation to emerging digital platforms amid Kosovo's evolving media environment. Jakupi, with a background in , supported the integration of online publishing to enhance reach. Leonard Kërquki joined the team in 2006 and was appointed in 2010, leading content direction for over a decade and producing influential programs like the investigative show Zona Express. During his tenure, Kërquki emphasized hard-hitting , including documentaries on wartime issues that drew international attention. In 2021, Kërquki transitioned to general director of both Gazeta Express and its affiliated T7 television, assuming a dual role in management. He continues as , steering strategic decisions for the Media Works group. Shpend Limoni was appointed editor-in-chief in February 2022, succeeding Kërquki and maintaining the outlet's focus on . Limoni, a long-time staff member since the founding, has upheld editorial continuity while adapting to digital-first consumption trends. These leadership changes reflect Gazeta Express's evolution from a print-centric startup to a multimedia entity under Media Works Sh.p.k.

Publication Formats and Reach

Gazeta Express was established in as a daily tabloid , primarily distributed in physical form across , targeting local readers with news and features in a compact format. The publication operated in print for nearly a decade, focusing on widespread availability through newsstands and subscriptions within the country, though specific circulation figures from that period remain limited in . By the early 2010s, economic pressures and the rise of prompted a shift, with the print edition ceasing operations on March 22, 2013, marking an early transition to fully online delivery ahead of broader industry trends. This pivot aligned with accelerating in Kosovo's media landscape, where Gazeta Express became one of the pioneers in abandoning print for web-based . The cessation of its print run in allowed resources to concentrate on online expansion, even as other Kosovo dailies continued physical production until the . In March 2020, the remaining five daily newspapers in Kosovo halted printing amid measures and economic fallout, positioning the country as the first in without any printed dailies and solidifying Gazeta Express's role as a digital frontrunner. Since 2013, Gazeta Express has operated exclusively as an online news portal via gazetaexpress.com, its primary platform launched concurrently with the print era but expanded significantly post-transition. The site integrates elements, including video content and interactive features, alongside a dedicated mobile application available on and Android for on-the-go access. channels further amplify distribution, with an official page boasting over 1.25 million followers and an account exceeding 139,000 followers, enabling real-time engagement and content sharing. Gazeta Express maintains substantial reach, attracting an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 unique daily visitors as one of 's leading online media outlets, with a core audience in and the across and . The platform offers content in Albanian and English to broaden , supporting its appeal to expatriate communities while prioritizing local news relevance. This digital footprint underscores its evolution into a key information hub, leveraging technology for sustained growth in a post-print environment.

Content and Editorial Approach

Focus Areas and Style

Gazeta Express places a strong emphasis on centered on politics, society, and culture in , producing in-depth reports that address , violations, and challenges arising from the country's post-independence period. For instance, the outlet has covered war crimes by the , prompting threats against its editorial team, underscoring its commitment to exposing governance issues. Its reporting frequently examines concerns, such as and restrictions on freedom of expression, drawing from international assessments to highlight systemic problems. Coverage of post-independence dynamics includes analyses of economic disparities, social inequalities, and cultural shifts, reflecting 's ongoing efforts. The newspaper employs a tabloid style, featuring sensational headlines, vivid visuals, and straightforward, accessible language designed to captivate a wide readership, particularly younger audiences and the Kosovar diaspora. This approach blends serious political and societal topics with elements of and speculation to enhance engagement and virality on social platforms. As an agenda-setting outlet, it prioritizes rapid dissemination, often prioritizing speed over extensive editing to dominate online conversations. Content categories encompass daily updates, opinion pieces offering commentary on current events, and formats such as videos and live broadcasts via its affiliated T7 television channel, which launched in 2018 to diversify delivery. Special series explore thematic issues like war crimes and , integrating interviews, reports, and trending social stories to provide multifaceted perspectives. In the digital era, Gazeta Express has evolved toward data-informed and heightened awareness, leveraging for broad distribution—boasting over 1.2 million followers—and adapting to combat amid Kosovo's polarized information landscape. This shift supports its role as Kosovo's most-viewed online portal, with peak daily traffic exceeding 800,000 users across the as of 2020.

Political Orientation

Gazeta Express has long been perceived as having a pro-PDK (Democratic Party of Kosovo) alignment, largely due to the past political involvement of its former owner and former editor-in-chief, Berat Buzhala, who joined the PDK in 2010 and served as a member of the Kosovo Assembly from 2010 to 2014. Following Buzhala's departure and the sale of the outlet in 2021, its editorial stance may have evolved, though historical pro-PDK perceptions persist. This affiliation extended to key members of the newspaper's founding team, including Buzhala, who transitioned from journalism to politics within the PDK, securing state positions and influencing the outlet's early editorial direction. The outlet's ties to the PDK were highlighted in analyses of Kosovo's media landscape, where it was noted as an example of portals directed by or aligned with political parties, contributing to a perception of partisan bias in favor of the PDK during its periods in government from 2007 to 2020. This alignment manifested in supportive reporting on PDK-led governments, including favorable coverage of policies and leadership under figures like , while often critiquing opposition parties such as the (LDK) and for their stances on governance and national issues. Despite this lean, Gazeta Express distinguished itself through , including anti-corruption exposés that occasionally targeted PDK affiliates, providing a degree of balance amid broader partisan tendencies. For instance, its documentaries and reports exposed systemic issues in , contributing to public awareness even as the outlet's overall tone favored PDK narratives during the 2007–2020 era. Editorial shifts have influenced the newspaper's stance over time. Under its first editor-in-chief, Dukagjin Gorani, from 2005 to 2007, Gazeta Express maintained a relatively neutral approach, focusing on independent reporting in the media environment. Following Buzhala's leadership from 2007 onward, particularly after the 2010 PDK affiliations, the outlet became increasingly partisan, with opinion pieces and news framing reflecting pro-PDK views and sharper attacks on rivals. By 2019, tensions emerged when the PDK labeled Gazeta Express as producing "," signaling a partial divergence as the outlet pursued more critical investigations into ruling party figures. In Kosovo's polarized political , Gazeta Express has played a prominent , particularly during elections, where its coverage often implied support for PDK candidates through prominent placement of positive stories and critiques of opposition platforms in and 2021. This contributed to shaping voter perceptions, amplifying PDK messaging while highlighting scandals involving LDK and leaders, though the outlet's investigations also occasionally bolstered anti-corruption narratives across parties.

Impact and Controversies

Notable Investigations and Achievements

Gazeta Express has garnered recognition for its , particularly through awards received by its reporters for in-depth reporting on sensitive topics. In 2017, journalist Leonard Kerquki was awarded the first prize in the EU Investigative Journalism Awards for for his 2016 achievements, including a documentary exposing war crimes committed against Kosovar Serbs by members, which drew significant attention and threats to the reporter's safety. More recently, in 2024, reporter Merita Miftari received the Association of Journalists of (AGK) award for gender-responsive reporting on , highlighting systemic inequalities in inheritance and land ownership in . The outlet's reporting on government has exposed irregularities involving political figures, contributing to public accountability. For instance, its coverage of high-level cases, including those linked to the (PDK), has prompted official investigations and debates on institutional integrity. Gazeta Express has also documented infiltration in public institutions, with series of articles detailing networks and their ties to political elites, influencing policy discussions on security reforms. In terms of impactful coverage, Gazeta Express provided extensive reporting on the 2016 trials related to the (KÇK), analyzing evidence and testimonies that shaped national discourse on wartime accountability. Post-2020, the newspaper launched digital campaigns addressing economic inequality exacerbated by the , featuring data-driven stories on wealth disparities and their effects on vulnerable populations in . Through sustained series on integration and , Gazeta Express has influenced by highlighting barriers to accession, such as and rule-of-law deficiencies, while amplifying voices from the on economic remittances and cultural ties. This reporting has underscored the newspaper's role in fostering informed debate on Kosovo's path toward European alignment.

Criticisms and Incidents

In 2016, Leonard Kërquki, editor-in-chief of Gazeta Express, faced death threats following his direction of a documentary aired on the outlet's television program Zona Express, which examined wartime crimes committed against by members of the . The threats, including a depicting Kërquki with bullet holes in the colors of the Serbian flag posted on the 's page, prompted condemnations from media freedom organizations such as and the OSCE, which urged Kosovar authorities to protect the and his colleagues. Additionally, Gazeta Express issued an apology to Fatmir Limaj for inaccuracies in the broadcast, highlighting instances of editorial errors that drew libel concerns. Gazeta Express has faced accusations of partisanship and unethical reporting, particularly for stories perceived as favorable to the (PDK), the outlet's owner Berat Buzhala's affiliated party. Opposition politicians and have criticized the for targeting rivals, such as accusing Faik Ispahiu of being a Serbian spy and suing reporter Albulena Haxhiu for libel, actions seen as efforts to suppress dissent. In 2019, the PDK itself denounced Gazeta Express as producing "fake" , a claim condemned by the Association of Journalists of Kosovo as an attempt to intimidate the press. These incidents contributed to broader perceptions of the outlet as a PDK mouthpiece, eroding trust among NGOs and advertisers in the mid-2010s and prompting calls for greater media independence. This period saw broader pressures on Kosovo's print media, with four major dailies ceasing physical production due to financial strains, though specific staff disputes were not publicly detailed. In 2024, Gazeta Express was implicated in the RTK when Kosovo's broadcaster published an article from Bosnian outlet accusing several Kosovo media organizations, including Gazeta Express, of ties to and foreign intelligence, sparking widespread backlash and resignations within RTK's board. The coverage and subsequent reporting by Gazeta Express on the controversy drew retaliatory pressures, including threats against journalists and OSCE calls for upholding media freedom amid escalating attacks on . This incident underscored ongoing vulnerabilities for the outlet, linked in part to its political alignments.

References

  1. https://www.gazetaexpress.com/about-us/
  2. https://kosovo.mom-gmr.org/en/media/detail/outlet/gazeta-express-1/
  3. https://epom.com/customers-stories/gazeta-express
  4. https://www.gazetaexpress.com/
  5. https://kosovo.mom-gmr.org/en/media/detail/outlet/nacionale-1/
  6. https://www.wilsoncenter.org/publication/324-media-matters-professionalizing-and-regulating-media-post-conflict-bosnia-and-kosovo
  7. https://www.nomos-elibrary.de/10.5771/9780810874831.pdf
  8. https://kosovo.mom-gmr.org/en/owner/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/berat-buzhala-1/
  9. https://media.unmikonline.org/index.php/mediareports/articles-kosovo-media-5682
  10. https://kosovo.mom-gmr.org/en/owner/companies/detail/company/company/show/media-works-shpk-1/
  11. https://kosovo.mom-gmr.org/en/media/detail/outlet/t7-1/
  12. https://kosovo.mom-gmr.org/en/owner/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/allajbeu-family-1/
  13. https://al.linkedin.com/in/dukagjin-gorani-phd-3809014
  14. https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/50458
  15. https://www.linkedin.com/in/petrit-selimi
  16. https://www.facebook.com/shpend.jakupi/
  17. https://www.gazetaexpress.com/en/leonard-kerquki-drejtor-i-pergjithshem-i-t7-dhe-gazetes-express/
  18. https://balkaninsight.com/2016/10/27/threats-to-kosovo-journalist-condemned-10-27-2016/
  19. https://reporteri.net/en/NEWS/Leonard-Kerquki-new-director-of-T7-and-Gazeta-Express/
  20. https://reporteri.net/en/lajme/shpend-limoni-kryeredaktor-i-ri-i-gazetes-express/
  21. https://insajderi.org/en/Kosovo-is-the-first-country-in-Europe-that-does-not-print-with-newspapers/
  22. https://apnews.com/article/europe-kosovo-health-coronavirus-newspapers-7271839b973f67d3af6ddbf88a6f7fba
  23. https://apps.apple.com/al/app/gazetaexpress-com/id1556243182?mt=8
  24. https://www.facebook.com/GazetaExpress/
  25. https://www.instagram.com/gazetaexpress/?hl=en
  26. http://analitika.ba/node/5596
  27. https://www.gazetaexpress.com/english-version/
  28. https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/11/30/western-balkans-unchecked-attacks-media
  29. https://www.gazetaexpress.com/en/raportit-i-dash-per-te-drejtat-e-njeriut-ne-kosove-probleme-serioze-me-pavaresine-e-gjyqesorit-korrupsion-serioz-i-qeverise-kufizim-i-lirise-se-shprehjes/
  30. https://www.gazetaexpress.com/en/shumica-e-kosovareve-me-gjendje-te-rende-sociale/
  31. https://seenpm.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Resilience-research-publication-1-KOS-ENG.pdf
  32. https://www.mirovni-institut.si/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/E-book-Resilience-research-1-altogether-with-CIP-code.pdf
  33. https://www.televizioni7.com/
  34. https://reporteri.net/en/lajme/buzhala-kujton-kohen-kur-iu-bashkua-pdk-se/
  35. https://californiaglobe.com/author/berat-buzhala/
  36. https://orainfo.net/en/gazeta-express-dhe-t7-shiten-zyrtarisht-ky-eshte-pronari-i-ri/
  37. https://www.stopfake.org/en/kosovo-fake-news-in-a-struggling-democracy/
  38. https://freedomhouse.org/country/kosovo/nations-transit/2017
  39. https://bti-project.org/en/reports/country-report/RKS
  40. https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/news/honouring-25-journalists-2017-eu-investigative-journalism-awards-western-balkans-and-turkey-2017-06-16_en
  41. https://network2020.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/a-plan-b-for-the-western-balkans-march-2017.pdf
  42. https://www.agk-ks.org/en/news/ndahen-cmimet-vjetore-te-gazetarise-2024/
  43. https://www.gazetaexpress.com/en/In-2024--there-were-final-court-decisions-in-8-cases--according-to-the-progress-report-on-high-level-corruption./
  44. https://www.gazetaexpress.com/en/schmitt-krimi-i-organizuar-ka-interes-ti-mohoje-qasjen-policise-se-kosoves-ne-veri/
  45. https://www.gazetaexpress.com/en/vazhdon-procesi-gjyqesor-ndaj-ish-krereve-te-uck-se-17/
  46. https://www.gazetaexpress.com/en/pandemia-i-beri-te-pasurit-edhe-me-te-pasur/
  47. https://www.gazetaexpress.com/en/Kosovo-from-a-success-story-to-the-isolation-that-is-killing-it/
  48. https://www.gazetaexpress.com/en/Kosovo-at-its-greatest-crossroads/
  49. https://www.state.gov/reports/2019-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/kosovo
  50. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/369765286_Challenges_of_Print_Newspapers_in_Kosovo_in_the_Period_1999_to_2020
  51. https://reporteri.net/en/fact-check/The-RTK-scandal%253A-what-and-how-it-happened/
  52. https://www.gazetaexpress.com/en/sulmet-ndaj-mediave-osbe-liria-e-medias-dhe-integritetit-gazetaresk-jane-themele-te-nje-shoqerie-demokratike/
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