Euractiv: Report: Political instability in Bulgaria reflects well on media freedom

Written By Antoinette Nikolova

By: Georgi Gotev

This excerpt has been translated from the original Bulgarian article.

Media freedom in Bulgaria has paradoxically improved under the caretaker governments, claims a report by the Balkan Free Media Initiative, presented yesterday at the European Parliament.

The Balkan Free Media Initiative is a non-governmental organisation specialising in media issues in the Balkan region, led by Bulgarian journalist Antoaeta [Antoinette] Nikolova.

The report, entitled “The Invisible Hand of Media Censorship in the Balkans”, highlights concerns that the new European law on media freedom [European Media Freedom Act] may not address the challenges facing Southeast Europe.

The event, hosted by GERB MEP Andrey Kovatchev, was attended by MEPs, media experts from various countries and journalists from the region. The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, gave a welcome speech.

“In Bulgaria, political instability has paradoxically promoted media freedom. The success of a European law on media freedom [EMFA] will depend on the commitment of the frequently changing authorities to its implementation,” the report states.

Antoinette Nikolova
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