Council for Electronic Media

The media environment in Bulgaria remains troubled by concerns regarding the independence of the press and the influence of political and economic forces. The European Commission's annual rule of law report for 2023, released on July 24, highlights ongoing issues in these areas.

Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) has stirred controversy after retracting an interview with Russian Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova, citing violations of journalistic standards. This move has ignited accusations of censorship and political pressure.

The three Bulgarian telecom operators - Vivacom, A1 and Yettel - have restricted internet access to some Russian state media, including TASS and RIA Novosti. This has happened quietly and without clear regulations and procedures, writes Bulgarian media "Capital" and adds that the story is even more complicated because in practice no one knows who is responsible.

Andon Baltakov has resigned as Director General of the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR), I am stepping down from the post for deeply personal reasons and ask for restraint when the decision is analysed and commented. He announced this in a letter to the staff of the radio, BNR said on August 2.

Bulgaria's Electronic Media Council has elected Andon Baltakov as the new director general of the Bulgarian National Radio in a voting held earlier today. He was appointed with 4 votes in favour and one abstention in the second voting of the media regulator, BNR said on its website.

The Council for Electronic Media will hear BNR Director General Svetoslav Kostov and the Radio Board of Directors regarding the suspension of the radio signal for 5 hours on Friday. The same day, Prosecutor General Sotir Tsatsarov ordered a check for stopping the Horizont signal.

The Parliamentary Committee on Culture and Media adopted the rules for the nomination of candidates for membership of the Council for Electronic Media (CEM) from the quota of the National Assembly, as well as the selection procedure.

The election campaign is starting for the European election that will be held on May 26. Today also marks the start of the pre-election radio and TV broadcasts about which the Central Election Commission (CEC) and the Council for Electronic Media signed an agreement with rules for transparency and objectivity.

Sofia. At its meeting today, the Council for Electronic Media (CEM) has approved the registration of Bulgarian Free Television, said the Bulgarian Socialist Party press centre. Bulgaria's opposition Socialist Party (BSP) filed the documents to get a licence for a TV station at the end of last month.

Sofia. The national radio director and the Council for Electronic Media (CEM) must do their job on the problem with the BNR Children's Choir, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said before today's government meeting with regard to the children's protest in front of the government building with demands for the return of their former choirmaster, Focus News Agency