In a bold move that sparked both praise and criticism, an Albanian TV station made headlines a few years ago by featuring braless news anchors. The decision, made by the TV channel Zjarr, was seen as a daring and creative way to attract viewers and improve ratings. However, it also raised questions about the objectification of women in the media and the limits of what is considered acceptable in a conservative society.
The TV station’s owner, Ismet Drishti, defended the decision, saying that it was a way to show transparency and fairness on TV. He argued that in a country where news is often controlled by political powers, the audience needed a way to get information that was real and unbiased. The nudity of the hosts, he claimed, was a way to symbolize this transparency. The approach seemed to work, as the TV station’s ratings improved significantly, and the presenters became famous overnight.
One of the presenters, Enki Bracaj, was just 21 years old when she started hosting an international news show. Her striking outfits, which often showed her cleavage, attracted many viewers and led to high ratings. Bracaj had auditioned for the job with her blouse open, showing that she was not a typical journalist. She said that she had found a way to stand out in a tough industry and that her parents had supported her decision.
However, there were limits to what the TV station would accept from its news anchors. When Bracaj accepted a modeling job with Playboy, her bosses thought she had gone too far. Nudity and even topless bathing are still not accepted in conservative Albania, where about 60 percent of the population is Muslim. Bracaj was eventually fired from the TV station, and a new presenter, Greta Hoxhaj, was hired to replace her.
Hoxhaj, who was 24 years old at the time, also began working in revealing outfits. She said that she had worked hard for five years in local TV without being noticed, but in just three months, she became a star. She claimed that her bold look was just for TV and that she usually dressed like other women her age in her daily life.
The TV station’s decision to feature braless news anchors sparked a global debate about the objectification of women in the media. While some people saw it as a daring and creative way to attract viewers, others criticized it as outrageous and disgustingly sexist. Images of the presenters spread quickly on social media, with some people praising their confidence and others condemning their decision.
The debate highlights the complex issues surrounding the representation of women in the media. On the one hand, women should be free to make their own choices about what they wear and how they present themselves. On the other hand, the media has a responsibility to promote respect and equality, and to avoid objectifying women for the sake of ratings.
In Albania, the response from feminist groups and journalist associations was surprisingly low. Some people argued that the TV station’s decision was a matter of personal choice and that viewers were free to change the channel if they didn’t like it. However, others saw it as a symptom of a larger problem, where women are often objectified and sexualized in the media.
The debate surrounding Zjarr TV’s decision to feature braless news anchors is a reminder that the representation of women in the media is a complex and multifaceted issue. While some people see it as a bold and creative way to attract viewers, others criticize it as a step backwards for women’s rights. Ultimately, the decision highlights the need for a more nuanced and respectful approach to the representation of women in the media.
