In the ever-heated landscape of Albanian public discourse, journalist and political analyst Baton Haxhiu is once again at the center of controversy—this time for calling for the closure of the national broadcaster, RTSH. The backlash has been immediate and fierce, with prominent cultural and political figures accusing Haxhiu of serving foreign agendas and undermining national unity, according to local media.
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| Baton Haxhiu and Arben Malaj |
“Baton, wisdom is not about destroying, but about building,” Shanaj wrote. “RTSH must be defended through serious creativity, not erased. It is an institution that holds the collective memory and artistic soul of our people.”
Shanaj emphasized that the current issues within RTSH stem not from politics but from poor leadership and the absence of creative professionals, urging reform and investment—not eradication.
But criticism did not stop at the cultural front. Former Minister of Finance, Arben Malaj, took the accusations further by framing Haxhiu’s rhetoric as dangerous and divisive.
“Stop Baton, this fire-starter who fans the flames of regional division,” Malaj wrote. “Just days ago, this man made reckless and offensive statements about the North, portraying them as historically mistreated and stoking resentment that simply doesn’t exist on the ground.”
Malaj warned that such rhetoric could destabilize national unity and serve the interests of countries that are openly unfriendly to Albania, the United States, and the European Union.
“Some of these pre-paid analysts—often funded by secret services of foreign states—have been mentioned in the media, and your name, Baton, comes up more than once,” Malaj added, hinting at possible intelligence links.
He also raised concerns that Haxhiu’s push to dismantle RTSH may be driven by oligarchic interests seeking to develop the prime land where the institution stands—a project that would require silencing the national broadcaster.
“Are the oligarchs pushing you to light this destructive fire under RTSH? Because on its land, rumors of luxury towers are swirling,” Malaj alleged. “And you, Baton, are said to be their most shameless servant, devoid of any moral boundary.”
In Albanian media and public opinion, speculation that Baton Haxhiu serves the interests of Serbia has long circulated, often framed in vague terms or whispered behind closed doors. But recent statements like these give voice to that suspicion in a more direct way. While no formal evidence has been made public, there are numerous voices claiming that Haxhiu is not merely a controversial journalist, but potentially a long-standing operative working in favor of Serbian intelligence interests.
Whether these claims hold substance or stem from deeper political fractures within Albania remains to be seen. However, the sheer volume and prominence of the voices raising these concerns—from cultural icons to senior politicians—cannot be ignored.
What is clear is that the debate over RTSH has grown far beyond a conversation about media reform; it has become a battleground for the soul of Albanian national identity and the integrity of its public discourse.