Public broadcasters are key to democracy, Bulgaria’s president says

Quality journalism depends not only on courageous reporters, but also on resources that guarantee economic and political independence, Bulgaria's President Iliana Iotova said. Speaking at the European Broadcasting Union’s Media Summit in Sofia, hosted by Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) and Bulgarian National Television (BNT), Iotova said public broadcasters play a vital role in democratic life.

• Bulgarian public broadcasters host European Media Summit in Sofia

The two-day forum has brought together 150 delegates from 47 public media organisations and professionals in radio, television and digital media from across Europe.

Iotova, who began her career as a reporter and presenter at BNT, said public media are not passive recorders of events, but active participants in democratic processes.

“In the complex times we live in, we rely on public media to safeguard the objective presentation of facts, to provide context and the in-depth analysis we need to navigate the world around us,” she said.

The summit was also attended by European Broadcasting Union Deputy Director-General Jean Philip de Tender, BNR Director-General Milen Mitev and BNT Director-General Milena Milotinova.

Editor: Miglena Ivanova