Arbana Xharra is an investigative journalist from Kosovo, with over 20 years of experience, focusing her reporting on issues of corruption, religious extremism, and gender relations. Arbana Xharra has worked at publications in Pristina, Kosovo such as Koha and Gazeta Zeri, where she became Editor-in-Chief while still just in her 20’s. Upon moving to the U.S., she has also worked as Social Media Advisor for the Institute for the Study of Human Rights at Columbia University, and as a Reporter, Writer, and Researcher for the Alon Ben Meir Institute. Despite facing legal actions, threats, and even surviving physical attacks because of her investigative journalism, Arbana has made it her mission now more than ever to deliver timely, critical, and honest reporting to her readers and followers. She was awarded the UNDP Prize for her articles on corruption in Kosovo three years in a row from 2006-2008, received the Balkan Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence in 2012, and won the U.S. Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award for the European Division in 2015. In this episode we talk about her passion for candid reporting, her thoughts on how social media has affected the journalism profession in recent years, and why she believes free thought and a free press are more relevant now than ever.  

Trigger warning: This episode includes dialogue on topics that may be difficult for some to listen to, including war, physical violence, and sexual assault. Please proceed with caution.