Media's Editorial Independence Discussed in Sofia in Connection with European Media Freedom Act

Council for Electronic Media Chair Gabriela Naplatanova (second from left) speaks at a discussion on editorial independence, Sofia, July 22, 2026 (BTA Photo/Milena Stoykova)

Sofia,

22.07.2026 17:46

(BTA)

The Council for Electronic Media (CEM) hosted a discussion on editorial independence in Sofia on Wednesday. The meeting brought together journalists, media experts and academics. They discussed the need for stronger safeguards for editorial independence, greater transparency in media governance, and a more active role for the journalistic community in developing professional standards.

The discussion was held in connection with the implementation of the European Media Freedom Act, following a CEM decision on July 16.

CEM Chair Gabriela Naplatanova and CEM members Prolet Velkova, Kadrinka Kadrinova and Simona Veleva agreed that the regulator has no authority to require media organizations to adopt editorial charters, but that it can encourage the professional community to develop more detailed internal rules to safeguard editorial independence.

Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) Deputy Director General Evgenia Drumeva said: "There have always been clearly defined editorial standards at the Bulgarian News Agency. This is also the practice at the world's leading news agencies."

Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) Director General Milen Mitev said the broadcaster has sought to ensure that all major decisions are taken by collective bodies, thereby reducing the risk of individual error or of any one person being tempted to exert influence over journalists' work.

/MR, VE/