Publikime Shqiptare LLC
"Publikime Shqiptare" LLC is the company that publishes Gazeta Dita and the online portal gazetadita.al. It was initially registered under the name of Elis Sulaj, who later sold 85 percent of the shares to the Dabulla brothers, Alban and Besnik Dabulla. Sulaj, who was employed with another company owned by Alban Dabulla, sold 10 percent of the shares to the newspaper's editor-in-chief, Adrian Thano, and 5 percent to Ardian Osoja. After Osoja's passing, his shares were divided between his two children, while Dabulla sold 10 percent of his shares to Besnik Rama, who later transferred them to his son Erjon Rama in 2023.
The Dabulla Brothers, who currently hold the majority of shares, amounting to 75 percent, are the sons of Arta Dada, a former Socialist Party deputy from 1997 to 2017 and a former Foreign Minister. The Dabulla Brothers have been involved in numerous accusations and counter-accusations with the former Prime Minister and right-wing leader, Sali Berisha, on multiple occasions. They have vehemently denied these allegations and responded to Berisha with equal fervor. In 2015, the Supreme Court ruled to dismiss a case against Alban Dabulla and others accused of defamation against former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, as Dabulla did not appear at the hearing.
Their newspaper prominently features a caricature on its front page, which often portrayed Berisha and his associates accused of corruption and other scandals during their time in power.
Business Form
Private
Legal Form
Limited Liability Company
Business Sectors
Newspaper Publishing
Individual Owner
Adrian Thano
Adrian Thano is the editor in chief and CEO of the newspaper Dita and a shareholder with 10% of the shares in the company. From October 2020 he is the CEO of the company. Thano spent the biggest part of his career at the daily Shekulli as editor in chief and director. Based on his editorials/comments published in the newspaper, he is perceived as a left-wing journalist. Thano is a shareholder at the company Universiteti Dita, together with the Dabulla Brothers, which operates in the education field.
In 2020, Thano founded two consulting companies, but they had short lifespans. Previously, he served as a board member of the Agency for Support of Civil Society, AMSHC.
Erjon Rama
Erjon Rama joined the list of shareholders in 2023 and owns 10% of the shares previously owned by his father. There is no information about the owners affiliated interests.
Other Online Outlets
www.gazetadita.al
Media Business
Publishing
Gazeta Dita (100%)
Business
Lottery
Nacional JSC (40%)
Construction
AB OVO (40%)
Retail
Vanadium (100%)
Retail
Education
Universiteti Dita (75%)
Postal/delivery services
CELERE (100%)
Cryptocurrency
Vanadium (100%)
General Information
Founding Year
2012
Affiliated Interests Founder
Alban and Besnik Dabulla are the owners of the daily newspaper ‘Dita’ where together they control 75% of shares. They are the sons of Arta Dade, a former MP of the Socialist Party from 1997 to 2017.
Besnik Dabulla owns 40% of the shares at “Publikime Shqiptare” and does not have any other active businesses. A fast-food restaurant and a restaurant he owned before are closed. Other companies in trade, services and advertising where he had shares also have been suspended. In January 2011, he was arrested and later convicted to 6 months 20 days in jail for illegal possession of firearms.
Alban Dabulla, the businessman that owns 35% of the shares in the newspaper, is in the gambling business. He is 40 percent shareholder in the company Nacional Sh.a, which organizes the ‘Telebingo Shqiptare’ lottery game. In May 2023, the company and Dabulla were under investigation for financial crimes by the Prosecutor Office of Tirana.
Alban has shares in another sports betting company Eurolive, but its activity is suspended after Albania banned sports bets in 2018. Dabulla has also shares in the companies Celere, AB OVO, Vaal, Universiteti Dita, and Vanadium created only in 2022, declaring retail and cryptocurrency production and exchanges as main activities. Similar to his brother, he has maintained a low public profile.
is the editor in chief and CEO of the daily Dita and a shareholder with 10% of the shares in the company. From October 2020 he is the CEO of the company. He has a long career in the Albania press and has been working as a former director of Information at Vizion Plus. Thano spent the biggest part of his career at the daily Shekulli as editor in chief and director. Based on his editorials/comments published in the newspaper, he is perceived as a left-wing journalist. Thano is a shareholder at the company Universiteti Dita, together with the Dabulla Brothers, which operates in the education field.
In 2020, Thano founded two consulting companies, but they had short lifespans. Previously, he served as a board member of the Agency for the Support of Civil Society, AMSHC.
passed away prematurely due to health problems, had been previously engaged in the management of several daily newspapers. His shares have been passed on to his two children, who are now minority shareholders in the company.
Employees
Missing Data
Contact
Rruga “Sami Frashëri, Godina 30 (Ish-Blloku), Tirana
Tel: +355 68 90 73 730
Email: info@gazetadita.al, dita.redaksia@gmail.com
Website: www.gazetadita.al
Tax/ ID Number
Publikime Shqiptare (L22205001K)
Financial Information
Revenue (Financial Data/ Optional)
0.41 Mln.. $ / 47 Mln.. Lek
Operating Profit (in Mill. $)
0.03 Mln.. $ / 3 Mln.. Lek
Advertising (in % of total funding)
Missing Data
Management
Other Influential People
is a former journalist with the daily Zeri i Popullit (Voice of the People), the publication of Albania’s Workers Party during the communist regime. Islami is known for his critical stances of former right-wing Prime Minister Sali Berisha.
No biographical data were found on Viktor Malaj, apart from his frequent headlines in the newspaper Dita.
a sociologist and former diplomat of Albania in the Netherlands and the USA, is recognized for his opposition to former Prime Minister Sali Berisha. He has authored numerous books and articles primarily within his area of expertise. Currently, Tarifa holds the position of a professor at the University of New York Tirana (AL), specifically in the Department of Political Science/International Relations. Additionally, he serves as the President of the Albanian Academy of Arts and Sciences. During his time as an ambassador, Tarifa was dismissed in 2005 by then-Prime Minister Fatos Nano.
is a former diplomat and member of Parliament, as well as a historian and Albanian academic. He served also as the Ambassador of Albania to Italy. In 2005, he returned to Albania and was elected as a member of Parliament representing the LSI party for the years 2005-2009, a faction of the Socialist Party. Since 2009, he has been working as a researcher at the Center for the Albanological Studies, holding the position of Head of the Department for Medieval and Modern History.
is a former officer of the Armed Forces of Albania and a historian specializing in the field of defense. Currently, he serves as the director of the Center for Albanological and Encyclopedic Publications.
is a researcher and professor of international law. He has served as an ambassador of Albania at the United Nations and as an advisor to the Prime Minister during the years 2002-2004. He is a founding member and the first president of the Albanian Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has an expertise in Public Law, International Organizations, Diplomatic Law and has lectured at several universities worldwide. Kristafi has published numerous books, articles, and textbooks.
served as the CEO of the company until October 2020. He initially registered the company at the Albanian National Business Registry and subsequently sold his shares to Ardian Osoja, Besnik Dabulla, Alban Dabulla, and Adrian Thano for 100,000 Lek (840 Euro) approximately one year after the company's registration. Currently, Sulaj seems to be an employee of the company Nacional Sh.a, where Alban Dabulla holds a 40% ownership stake. Additionally, Sulaj previously owned 66% of the now defunct company Ashley World Group, and in 2022, he established LC-LINK, where he possesses a 50% ownership stake
Further Information
Meta Data
The ownership structure and financial statement are publicly available on the Albanian National Business Registry. The financial data provided are for 2022. The Central Bank's average exchange rate for 2022 was used to convert the amounts into USD. Gazeta Dita responded to the request from MOM. See sources for more.
