Radio Televizioni Shqiptar

Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) translated in English as Albanian Radio and Television (ART) is the public broadcaster in Albania, founded in 1938 and operated from Tirana.

RTSH runs a national television station Televizioni Shqiptar (TVSH), and two national radio stations, using the name Radio Tirana. An international service broadcasts radio programmes in Albanian and seven other languages via medium wave (AM) and short wave (SW).^[1] The international service has used the theme from the song "Keputa një gjethe dafine" as its signature tune.

RTSH is funded by a combination of commercial advertising, a licence fee of US$0.50^[2] a year and grant-in-aid from the Albanian government.

History

The beginning of RTSH dates to the foundation of Radio Tirana. On 28 November 1938, the first Albanian radio station was inaugurated in a location inside the former building of the Municipality of Tirana, where King Zog I and Queen Geraldine were among those taking part. On the same day, a shortwave transmitter with a power of 3 kW at 40 meters was put into operation in Tirana (Laprake) and intended mainly for communication, but it was also used to transmit 3 hours of broadcast programs per day. The first broadcast consisted of choral singing where Jorgji Truja and Marije Kraja sang an introductory piece, followed by the unique timber of Kaliopi Nushi's voice who pronounced the following phrase: "Mirëdita, kjo është Radio Tirana" (English: Good day, this is Radio Tirana). This officially marked the first transmission of Radio Tirana and the start of RTSH's journey.

On the technical aspect, the quality of broadcasting improved as years passed. In 1940, a 1 kW mediumwave transmitter and some studio equipments were installed on the old building of Radio Tirana. After the Second World War, noticeable improvements were observed in Albania's coverage with signal. For example, in March 1952, a 10kW mediumwave transmitter was inaugurated in Kashar (Tirana). Improvements were also noted in the external service, as the radio center of Shijak (Durrës) was opened in November 1961, equipped with 3 transmitters, 2 in shortwave intended for the external service.

In December 1965, a new building of Radio Tirana was inaugurated equipped with 8 transmitting studios, 5 recording and montage studios, and a central large music studio. During the upcoming years, a combined total of 18 medium and short wave transmitters were installed, part of which carried Radio Tirana's external service programmes for many years. In 1987, 66 hours of programmes were broadcast in 20 foreign languages every day.^[3]

The rise of Albanian Television

In 1959, Radio Tirana's director by that time, Petro Kito, founded the first ?Experimental Television Center?. The institute was meant to provide the basis for the latter Albanian television. The first test programme was held on 29 April 1960, at 6:00 pm and was introduced by the journalist Stoli Beli. Children movies and then adults? programmes were broadcast on television, three times a week for about one hour. ^[4] Television programs were regurarly launched by 1971.^[5] Color broadcasts started in 1981, and became regular by 1982.

Radio Tirana as a symbol

Radio Tirana is seen by many as a symbol representing Albanian culture. The station served as the first "academy" of Albanian literal language. In its archive can be found interesting historical accounts such as a speech made by Fan Stilian Noli or the voice of Albanian arts' "ambassador", Aleksandër Moisiu. Through its educational, cultural, and informative programs, Radio Tirana has played a major role in the transmission of the Albanian people's cultural values. The station served as a venue on which emerging Albanian artists first showcased their talents later becoming icons of the Albanian arts. The voice of Tefta Tashko, Marije Kraja, Kristaq Koço, Merita Sokoli, Viktori Xhaxhka and many others were first heard in the studios of the national radio station. In addition, Albanian personalities such as actor Reshat Arbana, Myzafer Xhaxhiu, singer Vaçe Zela and Dr. Sulçebegu^[6] hosted the most popular programs.

RTSH in the People's Socialist Republic of Albania

Despite the country's tiny size and isolationist policies, Radio Tirana was a fairly major international broadcaster during the Cold War.

During Albania's alliance with China in the 1960s and 1970s, Radio Tirana had to walk a fine line between being anti-West whilst also being anti-Soviet. As such, Radio Tirana kept close to the official policy of the People's Republic of China, which was also both anti-West and anti-Soviet whilst still being socialist in tone. Following the break with China, programming still remained Marxist-Leninist in nature.

During the 1970s, the station broadcast to Europe on 1214 kHz, causing interference problems for the British BBC Radio One on the same frequency. During the 1980s and early 1990s the international service was broadcast on 1395 kHz (along with various short wave frequencies) and was received throughout Europe during the evening and through the night. Radio Tirana also upset many amateur radio operators in Europe by operating transmitters in the 7 MHz (40 metre) amateur band.

Political programming predominated during this period. Features included Marxism-Leninism - an ever young and scientific doctrine and Socialism and the youth. The feature Leafing through the Marxist-Leninist press restricted itself to the journals of foreign communist parties allied to the Albanian Party of Labour.

However, during the last months of the socialist era, overtly political programming was drastically scaled down, and the long-established practice of playing "The Internationale" at the end of each broadcast was abandoned.

Foreign systems under censure

A similar ideological battle took place on the television spectrum. Particularly, the TV signal of RAI and RTCG were at the centre of a political battlefield taking place on TV frequencies. During the 60s, RAI used to be received in Tirana in decent quality. As time passed, the signal was strengthened by RTSH only to broadcast the day's main news bulletin, some films, and children programmes. It is observed that during the news, reports containing music concerts and papal activities, or even regular commercial spots used to be jammed upon. A similar phenomenon used to be noticed on RTCG as its frequency used to be regularly interferred to by RTSH's jamming transmitters. A popular opinion of the time suggests that in contrast, the house of Albania's Party of Labour leader Enver Hoxha and others close to him were equipped with a so-called "special cable" - a way in which to see foreign broadcasting systems.

After the fall of the communist system, Albania's TV frequencies started to be filled by a variety of Western broadcasters: from RAI to CNN International. In 2002, the practice was discontinued as Parliament passed a law outlining protective measures for the Albanian broadcasting industry in promoting a fair and healthy competitive domestic market.

Post Communism

RTSH has enjoyed a robust position in the broadcasting field from the beginning of its operation to the mid 1990s, a period when the first privately owned radio and TV stations started to occupy the vast empty frequencies. This caused a gradual brain-drain where numerous experienced journalists and employees left RTSH for the new media outlets. For illustration purposes, Albania's current popular political talk shows such as Opinion by Blendi Fevziu (formerly called E Diela Debat) or Fokus by Robert Papa can track their beginnings at RTSH. Despite this brain-drain, the institution has held a leader's position in the production of programs in fields pertaining to entertainment, civics, education and science.

One of the programs who has left a lasting impression in the post-communist TV entertainment field was that of talented show-man Adi Krasta, entitled Rreth Fatit për 12-Javë. The show was embedded in a national lottery, something unseen before in Albania, ran on primetime state TV for about 5 hours non-stop, and offered tunes of famous American song ballads, such as (I've Had) The Time Of My Life by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes, and famous hit song Auberge by British Blues icon Chris Rea. In addition, American actor of Albanian descent James Belushi offered his salutations to the Albanian people from the USA in an exclusive interview.

Another brilliant production is the End-Year Festive Concert, a yearly TV program styled as a celebration of the new year, where a variety of humorous sketches are conducted by talented comedy troops from across Albania.

In the civic field, a vast number of documentaries are produced on different national heritage topics, including past and present cultural personalities who gave and continue to give contributions to the enrichment of the Albanian arts - an example being those for the Albanian National Theatre.

In 1997, in Albania, educational institutions were temporarily shut down due to civil unrest. As a result, RTSH broadcast instructional programs for the barricated youth, that made for a substitute to regular instruction. RTSH is known also for the vast number of shows for children and adolescents produced each year. Figures such as Pavlina Mani and other anchors are some of the personalities fixed in the minds of many youngsters.

The journalistic field was and is partly represented by experienced iconic figures such as news anchors Tefta Radi, Roland Roshi, Arben Kamberi, Reiz Çiço and many others, but also by the numerous employees behind the stage. In 1998, journalists of RTK were obliged to flee Pristina as the situation in Kosovo was escalating. They took temporal refuge in RTSH by anchoring specific news bulletins on their region's situation.

The institution has produced the most high-rated Albanian television series, Njerëz dhe Fate and the radio series Rruga me Pisha.

Allegations by critics have remained through out the long story of RTSH. According to these, the institution leans towards the government's agenda and conclude that it unsuccessfully tries to reinvent itself as an independent public broadcaster.

Channels

Nationally created shows currently broadcast by Televizioni Shqiptar (as of May 2008)

Original name	Format	Origin
Jo Vetëm Kafe	morning show
Hapësirë e Blertë	agricultural affairs
7 X 7	talk show
Përballë	current affairs
Turizmi, Arsimi, Arti	talk show
Netët e Klipit	awards gala
T'kam Zemër	entertainment
Troç	youth affairs
Skaner	investigative magazine
Gjuha Italiane	instructional

Internationally created shows currently broadcast by Televizioni Shqiptar (as of May 2008)

Original name	Albanian translation	Origin
Ditari	Lajme nga Zëri i Amerikës
Kurtulu?	Çlirimi
Eurovision Song Contest 2008	Eurovizioni 2008

Radio

Technical change

After the arrival of the new millennium, RTSH underwent some significant changes in terms of its technology. In 2003, an attractive news studio was created, and the TV (TVSH) signal on VHF band in Tirana was strengthened. TVSH became available also on UHF and experimental broadcasts of the second TV channel TVSH 2 were initiated. Later, screen graphics of the TV channel were revamped reflecting the red color, that of the national flag but also of the time's ruling party. The same can be said for 2006, as red was substituted for blue, although it is not one of the national colors.

In 2003, the FM channel in the capital at 99,5 MHz was put on Stereo, and the second radio program was launched 24 hours a day.

In 2007, RTSH launched its official webpage with daily news briefs and a variety of information on its services.

Despite these improvements, allegations of bias in news reporting and other structural problems still remain.