Sokol Balla (; born May 7, 1973) is an Albanian journalist, writer, television host and political analyst, best known as the host of the political talk show ''Real Story''. Over the years, he has been affiliated with several major Albanian television networks, where he has hosted or contributed to a variety of political programs including ''Fahrenheit'', ''Top Story'', and ''Exclusive''.
Early life and education
Balla was born on May 7, 1973 in
Tirana
Tirana ( , ; ) is the capital and List of cities and towns in Albania, largest city of Albania. It is located in the centre of the country, enclosed by mountains and hills, with Dajti rising to the east and a slight valley to the northwest ov ...
, Albania. He joined the
University of Tirana
The University of Tirana (, abbreviated UT) is a public university located at the central borough of Tirana 10 in Tirana, Albania. It was established as the State University of Tirana (SUT) in 1957 through merging of five existing institutes ...
, initially studying
philosophy
Philosophy ('love of wisdom' in Ancient Greek) is a systematic study of general and fundamental questions concerning topics like existence, reason, knowledge, Value (ethics and social sciences), value, mind, and language. It is a rational an ...
before switching to journalism, completing a four-year degree. His professional career in journalism began in 1992 at the foreign news department of
RTSH
Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (; ; formerly TVSH , now mostly referred to as RTSH ) is the national public broadcasting company of Albania. Founded in 1938, it operates several radio and television channels, over a domestic transmitter network as we ...
, the Albanian public broadcaster.
Career
Throughout his career, Balla has worked with numerous Albanian media outlets. He has been a contributor to print publications such as ''Gazeta Shqiptare'' and ''Koha Jonë'', and has held executive and editorial positions in Albanian national televisions, including
Vizion Plus
Vizion Plus is a national Albanian privately owned television channel established in September 16, 1999 in Tirana, Albania. The channel started as a local station and a few years later began broadcasting all over Albanian territory.
Programs
Viz ...
,
Top Channel
Top Channel is a national commercial television network in Tirana, Albania, founded by Dritan Hoxha in 2001. It is part of the Top Media Group, one of the largest media conglomerates in Albania, which includes Top Albania Radio, Top Gold Radi ...
, Report TV,
News 24, and
ABC News ABC News most commonly refers to:
* ABC News (Australia), a national news service of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
* ABC News (United States), a news-gathering and broadcasting division of the American Broadcasting Company
ABC News may a ...
.
Published works
Balla has authored several books, often centered on Albanian politics and society:
* ''Antishqiptari – Ditari i çrregullt i muajve të nxehtë dimër 2003 - dimër 2004'' (2005)
* ''33'' (2013)
* ''Fjala e lirë, sfidë europiane – Mbi lirinë e shprehjes kur kërkojmë eurointegrimin'' (2011)
* ''Loja që ndryshoi Shqipërinë'' (2016)
* ''Koli i Bardhës shkon në Afrikë'' (2024), a semi-autobiographical work published by UET Press.
Awards and honors
Balla has received several professional honors, including:
* ''Leadership of the Year'' (2017)
* Decoration ''Grand Master'' ("Mjeshtër i Madh") awarded by President
Bajram Begaj
Bajram Begaj (born 20 March 1967) is an Albanian politician and military officer who has been President of Albania since 2022. Having had a long career in the Albanian army, he served as the 26th Chief of General Staff of the Albanian Armed Fo ...
in 2023
* ''Career Award'' ( Çmimi i Karrierës) from ''Koha Jonë'' newspaper in 2023
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Balla, Sokol
1973 births
Living people
People from Tirana
Albanian journalists
Albanian television personalities
Albanian writers
University of Tirana alumni
Albanian political scientists
Albanian television presenters
Albanian television journalists
Albanian newspaper journalists