The civic protests that began for Zvërnec have sparked numerous controversies and reactions on social networks among politicians, activists, and well-known people in the media and on screen, due to their pro and con positions. Such is the case between MP Ardit Bido and renowned journalist Ola Xama.
The replies were prompted by a lynchpin note by the socialist MP towards Kristina Vokos, the executive director of BIRN Albania, whom Ardit Bido calls Greek and says is the main promoter of the attack on the Zvërnec project.
“BIRN, which “protects journalism”, is not concerned with the 1000 problems of journalists, but with Kristina’s dreams of having minority languages, especially the largest one (Greek) everywhere! As long as you have these on your side, you are AGAINST me,” the MP writes.
His reaction was immediately commented on by journalist Ola Xama, who wrote that since both of them were students of the same generation in Journalism and classmates, moreover, he is spreading misinformation.
“I listened to the video and no one is talking about providing information in the Greek language, but of minorities. I also wanted to say something about Birn: for us journalists, it is an honor that we have, because the articles that the government-controlled media have censored have had a place to publish, offering us support in mentorship, infrastructure, etc.
“I know Kristine personally and I don’t know her origin, but she is an honorable lady who speaks and advocates for the rights of journalists wherever she can. I felt compelled to write this, because I didn’t expect that I could get this far by publicly lynching her,” the journalist writes.
MP and former journalism professor Ardit Bido responds again and says that the BIRN Albania agency has distributed disinformation about him on at least two occasions.
“Ola Xama, first of all, you have in your status below two distortions by BIRN towards me, which as a former journalist and former journalism lecturer I say with full professional conviction that they are intentional and unacceptable. Second, you talk about minorities and you know very well who the largest minority in the country is. Don’t hide behind your finger. Third, as an expert in the field, you also know very well that there is no national or international obligation for private national televisions,” continues Ardit Bido.
