Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2026 All Rights Reserved

Media in Bulgaria: Self-censorship, pressure from politicians and disinformation about war in Ukraine

Photo: aej-bulgaria.org

Self-censorship in Bulgarian media has been on the rise and external pressure on journalists is often exerted by politicians, according to a study on the freedom of speech by the Association of European Journalists in Bulgaria.

64% of respondents said that they witnessed pressure on a colleague because of the content of their work and according to 70% there is internal pressure in media. One out of ten journalist was threatened with a lawsuit. 68% of the respondents indicated a rise in disinformation as a result of the war in Ukraine. At the same time, just 27% of journalists use fact-checking platforms.

Defamation of media and journalists, online and administrative harassment, prosecution, physical threats and extortion are among the most common attacks. Concentration of media ownership and lack of transparency were also highlighted as major problems.




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

A warning for dangerous rainfall has been issued for 12 regions in Southern Bulgaria

On Friday, the lowest temperatures will be between 4°C and 9°C, reaching up to 12°C in the southeast, around 6°C in Sofia . During the next 24 hours, the weather will remain cloudy. It will rain in almost the entire country. During the day, rainfall..

published on 11/27/25 6:45 PM

Varna mayor Blagomir Kotsev released pending trial on €102,258 bond

The Varna District Court has released the city’s mayor, Blagomir Kotsev, on a financial bond of €102,258. Before the court’s decision was announced, supporters of the mayor and members of the We Continue the Change party gathered outside the..

published on 11/27/25 5:37 PM

Three detained and five police officers injured at last night's protest in Sofia

Three people, including an Italian citizen, were arrested during last night's protest against the adoption of the 2026 budget in front of the National Assembly, the director of the Sofia Directorate of Internal Affairs, Chief Commissioner Lyubomir..

published on 11/27/25 3:50 PM