Jeta Xharra

Jeta Xharra is the founder and director of the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) in Kosovo, as well as anchor and editor of the “KALLXO Përnime” TV programme, which is broadcast on TV Dukagjini. She established the “Life in Kosovo” TV programme that dealt with current affairs, taboo topics and investigative reporting and was broadcast on RTK for over 15 years. Through this programme, Xharra established a new format of watchdog journalism that aimed to go beyond simply reporting by also fighting for a better future. She also founded the magazine Prishtina Insight, which offers news and in-depth analysis from Kosovo in English for foreign audiences. As a well-known trainer in investigative journalism, Xharra has also trained journalists and civil society activists in Lebanon, Pakistan and Ukraine. She started out in journalism in March 1998 as part of the BBC crew. In 2012, the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) presented Xharra with the “Dr. Erhard Busek Award for Better Understanding in South East Europe”, and in 2021 she earned first place in investigative journalism from the European Commission.