Veteran Kosovar journalist Nebi Qena has been appointed Deputy Director of Video for the United States at the prestigious news agency Associated Press (AP) — marking one of the highest positions ever held by a journalist of Albanian background in global media.
The announcement was made by Josh Hoffner, AP’s News Director for the US, who praised Qena as a “distinguished leader, deeply committed, collaborative, and composed.”
📹 A Strong Career Across Challenging Frontlines
Nebi Qena has served in numerous critical roles within AP, including:
- Senior producer for Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank
- Weekend manager for the US
- Correspondent and producer in Kosovo
- Reporter in Ukraine during the 2014 and 2022 conflicts
Most recently, Qena led coverage of major events such as the wildfires in Los Angeles and the terrorist attacks in New Orleans, earning praise for his immediate and lasting impact, Hoffner stated.
🏆 Part of the Oscar-Winning Team for “20 Days in Mariupol”
Qena was also part of the award-winning team behind the Oscar-winning documentary “20 Days in Mariupol,” where he and Andrew Drake served as editing coordinators in Ukraine. The film — a collaboration between AP and PBS Frontline — was shot during the first three weeks of Russia’s invasion in 2022 and earned critical acclaim for its emotional depth and global significance.
📰 From Kosovo to the Global Stage of Journalism
Qena began his journalism career at Koha Ditore in 1997, reporting from the frontlines of the Kosovo War. He later served as Editor-in-Chief at Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) and joined Associated Press in 2007 as a correspondent in Prishtina. He has since expanded his coverage to include key global conflict zones across Europe and the Middle East.
