Voice of America (VOA) Director Amanda Bennett, who is visiting five Balkan countries, was in Shkodra today. She went to Albania after visiting Serbia, Bosnia and Montenegro. Mrs. Bennett emphasized the importance of factual information and accurate data during her meetings.
In this visit she is accompanied by the director of the Eurasia sector in Voice of America, Elez Biberaj and the chief of the Albanian language service, Arben Xhixho.
Bennett Director held her first meeting in Albania in the city of Shkodra, where he was welcomed by the Mayor Voltana Ademi, who thanked her for the role that Voice of America has played and continues to play in support of Albanians for freedom and democracy. Other personalities of political and social life in Shkodra Region were also present at this meeting.During his stay in Shkodra, Director Bennett is acquainted with the traditions of the city and visited the Marubi National Museum.
In a communication to media, Mrs Bennett talked about the role of VOA.
Voice of America, said Mrs. Bennett, has been broadcasting in Albania for 75 years and that she is the first director to visit Albania all these years. We, she said, recognize the role and influence of the Voice of America for a free press and in support of democratic developments
She emphasized the transparency in Voice of America broadcasting.
We, she said, are 100 percent funded by the US government, but we are also completely independent of the impacts, in order to transmit it transparently to the public.
The information broadcasted that is based on facts and accurate data, said Bennett Director, is what we want in order to influence democratic developments. We, said Mrs. Bennet, we really want to increase the presence in Albania by supporting and broadening our partnership with local media.
During a two-day visit to Albania, VOA Director will meet with journalists and government officials.
Meanwhile, during her visit in the region, she received in Podgorica by the President of Montenegro, Filip Vujanovic, who honored with a state acknowledgment VOA on the occasion of the 75th anniversary.
President Vujanovic noted the special role of VOA for listeners and viewers of the region with objective and impartial information.
Kosovo will be the last stop of Amanda Bennett in the region. /Oculus News