Scandal at Top Channel: Turning Violence into Entertainment
In an era where media should be fighting violence, Top Channel has chosen to beautify it. This national television station, which enters the homes of Albanians daily, shapes the opinions of younger generations, and bears the responsibility of informing the public, has violated every journalistic ethical principle by rolling out the red carpet for the perpetrator of a violent crime.
The latest scandal on the show “Goca dhe Gra” is not just an editorial mistake—it is an insult to every victim of violence in Albania. By inviting Antonela Berisha, one of the perpetrators of the brutal attack on Klea Prenga, Top Channel has shown that, in the name of viewership, it is ready to sacrifice any moral principle.
Let’s remember what really happened: In a restaurant in the middle of Tirana, the Berisha sisters attacked Klea Prenga, causing severe facial injuries with a glass bottle. According to the medical-legal report, the injuries were irreparable. After the attack, the victim even received a threatening message where the violence was described as a “gift” from Mariela Berisha. This was not an isolated incident—it was a premeditated act of violence that could have ended tragically.
But what does Top Channel do? Instead of denouncing the violence, it chooses to turn it into a spectacle. Antonela Berisha was welcomed with applause in the studio as if she were a heroine returning from a noble battle. Einxhel Shkira, one of the hosts, described her absence as “a big break,” as if referring to a creative pause, not an escape after a violent crime.
But Top Channel didn’t stop there. Antonela was given space to talk about her “positive impact on society” and her “great support from followers.” What message is this sending? That violence is an acceptable path to fame? That brutality can be a marketing strategy?
Meanwhile, the justice system failed to deliver an appropriate sentence—Antonela was only sentenced to “mandatory reporting” and Mariela to “house arrest”—Top Channel sent the most dangerous message possible: violence not only goes unpunished but can even make you more famous.
This is not just a professional failure—it is a betrayal of the Albanian public. As a national television station, Top Channel has the responsibility to promote positive values, fight violence, and protect victims. But instead, it has chosen to become a megaphone for the perpetrators, giving them a platform to reframe their crimes as “success stories.”
Every minute Antonela Berisha spent in that studio, every applause she received, every soft question she was asked, was a blow to every victim of violence in Albania. Top Channel has chosen the wrong side of history, turning violence into entertainment and turning the perpetrators into stars.
In a country where violence against women remains an open wound in society, where victims often remain silent out of fear of stigma, Top Channel has just set a dangerous precedent: attack a woman with a glass bottle, and you’ll get a TV interview to promote your business. Can Albanian journalism fall lower than this?
