International broadcast advocacy group the Committee for U.S. International Broadcasting has added Mark Gjonaj to its advisory board.
“CUSIB will benefit from Mark Gjonaj’s role as an Albanian-American voice and from his understanding of the importance of U.S. media outreach in the Balkans — especially now when international tensions continue to rise and peace in that region remains fragile,” said Ted Lipien, CUSIB director and co-founder. “We were pleased to learn that as a result of the input the Broadcasting Board of Governors has received from Mark Gjonaj and others, a reevaluation of the programming cuts proposal is underway at the BBG. We look forward to working with Mr. Gjonaj to send a strong message that this is not the time to cut substantive, balanced and timely news services by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Voice of America to Albania and the rest of the Balkan region, especially in light of the frequent manipulation of news by the Kremlin’s external media outlets.”
Gjonaj serves as a member of the New York State’s Assembly for the 80th District. He is also a voice for Albanian-Americans throughout the New York metropolitan area. Prior to his election, he was the founder and president of MP Realty Group Corp.
Gjonaj has devoted significant time and energy to a number of community activities and organizations, including the Illyria Clinic at Jacobi Medical Center, Einstein College of Medicine Community Advisory Council, Westchester School for Special Children and Our Lady of Shkodra Church. Mark Gjonaj is a former commissioner of the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission.