site.btaUPDATED Long-Serving TV Anchor Is Removed from Programme, Raising Questions about Motives, Broadcaster Cites Programming Changes

Bulgarian National Television (BNT) has removed long-serving journalist and TV anchor Georgi Angelov from its programme History.BG, raising questions about the broadcaster's motives online and in statements by politicians. The public broadcaster said it was part of a broader change to its programming strategy.

Angelov announced his removal in a Facebook post, saying that BNT's programme director had informed him that he would no longer host History.BG or work as its editor. He said he would comment on the reasons once he received them in writing, adding that it had also been officially confirmed that his other programme on BNT2, To Europe and Forward, had been taken off the air. "I admit, this is a really effective way of making me shut up," Angelov wrote, adding that he had considered it a great responsibility to work “in the name of truth.”

BNT said in a statement that it was not parting with any of its presenters or long-serving journalists. Following an analysis of how viewers perceive its programmes, as well as its overall programming and plans, the broadcaster said it had decided that each programme should have a permanent presenter rather than rotating hosts, as was the case with History.BG. The changes to History.BG mean that Andrey Zahariev will be its sole presenter. BNT added that Angelov had been offered the opportunity to submit ideas for developing cultural and educational content.

The statement provided further details about the programming changes and what new formats will be introduced.

Yes, Bulgaria criticized BNT's explanation, saying it was obscured by “verbal fog” and failed to answer the key question of why Angelov had been removed. The party questioned whether there was a specific professional reason or whether his openly critical attitude towards the authorities had become unacceptable. It said administrative euphemisms only strengthened suspicions of political retaliation and warned that such cases could encourage self-censorship among journalists. Yes, Bulgaria also accused Deputy Prime Minister Ivo Hristov of contributing to pressure on journalists and called on the government to account for the gap between its stated commitment to media freedom and its conduct.

In a Facebook post, the leader of the opposition Continue the Change party, Assen Vassilev said Angelov's removal "crossed the line" and his party has asked to see documents on the matter. "We are also moving for a hearing of the BNT Director General and the Chair of the Council for Electronic Media. The Bulgarian society should see the written motives [for Angelov's removal from the programme], the criteria for the change and whether the decision had to do with editorial content," Vassilev wrote.