Freedom of the Press - Bulgaria (2002)
| Publisher | Freedom House |
| Publication Date | 22 April 2002 |
| Cite as | Freedom House, Freedom of the Press - Bulgaria (2002), 22 April 2002, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4734504023.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Status: Free
Legal Environment: 9
Political Influences: 11
Economic Pressures: 9
Total Score: 29
Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 72
Religious Groups: n/a
Ethnic Groups: Bulgarian (83 percent), Turkish (9 percent), Roma (3 percent), other (5 percent)
Capital: Sofia
Political interference in the management of the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) strained the high level of press freedom guaranteed by the constitution and generally observed. Journalists protested against the nomination of the radio's general director, claiming his appointment by the National Council for Radio and Television was politically motivated. The Supreme Court canceled the appointment, but the BNR dismissed many of the protesting journalists and replaced them with members of the ruling political coalition. Police later barred journalists from the studios and seven leaders of the protest were dismissed. Still later, parliament replaced the national radio and television council with the Electronic Media Council selected by parliament and the president. Still in the penal code are harsh defamation laws which can be used to inhibit the press from reporting freely. The press, however, remains lively and diverse.