site.btaBTA Remains Main Source of Information about Bulgarian Research in Antarctica, Director General Says

The Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) remains the most important source of information on Bulgarian scientific research in Antarctica, BTA Director General Kiril Valchev said during a reporting camp of the 34th Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition, which took place in Aheloy on Saturday.

Valchev presented summary data on the national news agency’s coverage of the last four Bulgarian Antarctic expeditions. According to him, during this period, BTA published a total of 753 news items related to the expeditions’ activities, the voyages of the naval research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii and the work of Bulgarian scientists in Antarctica.

“There were 4,039 photos, 217 video clips, and 640 publications in English. These are significant statistics that demonstrate the scale of the work involved in covering Bulgaria’s presence in Antarctica,” noted Valchev.

He recalled that during the first voyage of the research vessel, BTA had a permanent correspondent on board, and subsequently photojournalists also participated in the expeditions, which contributed to a significant increase in visual content. According to the Agency’s data, 257 news stories were published during the first voyage, 142 during the second, 156 during the third, and during the most recent voyage and accompanying scientific research, the number reached 202.

The BTA Director General also highlighted the Agency’s publishing activities related to the Bulgarian Antarctic expeditions. Two issues of the LIK magazine were dedicated to the voyage to Antarctica and to Bulgarian scientific activities on that continent. Both issues have also been published in English, and the issue dedicated to Bulgarian science in Antarctica has also been published in Spanish. They are free to read on BTA's website.

During the second voyage of the research vessel, BTA unveiled a National Press Club on Livingston Island at the Bulgarian Antarctic base. A floating National Press Club also operates on board the ship. The two facilities are part of the Agency’s network of 46 national press clubs.

Valchev noted that thanks to its consistent coverage of Bulgaria’s presence in Antarctica, BTA has established a leading position in the international information space as well. According to him, a number of major global agencies are expressing interest in utilizing the information resources of the National Press Club in Antarctica.

The BTA Director General also announced that the Agency plans to expand its coverage of the activities of the research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii beyond Antarctic missions. Upcoming coverage will include the ship’s visits to foreign ports, as well as scientific research in the Black Sea, including studies of seawater relevant to tourism and the environment.

BTA will continue to cover Bulgaria’s participation in international forums related to polar research and ocean science, added Valchev.

He emphasized that next year will mark several significant anniversaries related to Bulgaria’s presence in Antarctica, including the 35th Bulgarian Antarctic expedition and four decades since the start of Bulgarian Antarctic research.

“BTA is the first media outlet to provide systematic and consistent coverage of Bulgarian Antarctic expeditions. Our journalists participate as the Agency’s correspondents, and the information is freely accessible and can be used by all media outlets,” Valchev added.

He noted that BTA already has partnerships with over 50 national news agencies around the world, and a cooperation agreement was recently signed with the National News Agency of Uzbekistan. According to him, the international dissemination of news about Bulgarian scientific achievements contributes to building a positive image of Bulgaria abroad.

At the end of his speech, Valchev thanked the scientists for their cooperation in promoting scientific results and urged them to continue presenting their research in a way that is understandable to the general public.

“Bulgarian science in Antarctica is one of the most beautiful faces of Bulgaria, and we will continue to cover it,” stated the BTA Director General.