RSF: The few independent media outlets in Bulgaria are under pressure

Bulgaria ranks 71st out of 180 countries in the annual press freedom index published by the non-governmental organization “Reporters Without Borders,” according to the organization’s website. This marks a decline of one position compared to the previous year.

The “Reporters Without Borders” report notes that in both Bulgaria and Guatemala, which ranks 128th in the index, so-called SLAPP lawsuits (strategic lawsuits against public participation) are used against journalists. On the index’s interactive map, Bulgaria is marked in brown - a color indicating that the state of media freedom is considered “problematic.”

“Press freedom is fragile and unstable in one of the poorest and most corrupt countries in the European Union. The small number of independent media outlets in Bulgaria are under pressure,” the report further states. It also notes that the political affiliations of members of the Council for Electronic Media have a negative impact on the editorial independence of public service media.

According to the organization, intimidation of journalists by politicians and the manipulation of certain media for political purposes are common practices in Bulgaria, BTA reports.

Edited by Diana Tsankova