site.btaMedia Regulator Head: Only Strong, Independent Journalism Can Hold Power Accountable

Only strong and independent journalism can hold those in power accountable for their decisions, said Gabriela Naplatanova, Chair of the Council for Electronic Media (CEM). 

“I would like to call on journalists to uphold professional ethical standards and to zealously protect the dignity of their profession, because only strong and independent journalism can hold those in power accountable for their decisions,” Naplatanova said Thursday at the opening of the first meeting of the regulator during her second term as chair. Between April and October 2024, she served as acting CEM chair. 

She thanked the members of the regulator for their trust and stressed that “the experience of each Council member is an extremely valuable contribution to the Council’s work.” 

According to her, in the coming future the CEM will be “open to society, to journalistic organizations, the media industry, and academia,” and will encourage initiatives aimed at improving the quality of media content. 

Naplatanova emphasized that the regulator’s role is primarily supportive, while the main responsibility for the state of the media environment lies with journalists and creative professionals. Declarations and statements alone, she said, are not enough to safeguard freedom of speech and journalists’ independence. 

She underlined that only strong and independent media can help society develop critical thinking and make informed decisions about its future. 

The CEM chair pointed out that the role of the regulator’s members is temporary, but efforts to protect the media environment must be continuous. 

Gabriela Naplatanova was elected Chair of the Council for Electronic Media at its meeting on April 23. She was nominated by then-chair Simona Veleva and by CEM member Kadrinka Kadrinova. Her nomination was also supported by CEM member Prolet Velkova, while Galina Georgieva abstained. Naplatanova’s term began on April 28 this year and will run until April 27, 2027.