site.btaUPDATED bTV Ends Contract with Journalist Maria Tsantsarova over "Political Bias, Editorial Pressure Claims", TV Channel Faces Media Freedom Criticism

bTV reported on Monday that it has decided to part ways with journalist Maria Tsantsarova, a host of the TV channel’s morning show. Tensions between the two sides escalated after, on the day of the large-scale anti-government protest on December 10, Tsantsarova placed in front of her on air a cup bearing the inscription “Time to make real change”. The cup appeared and disappeared from the frame several times during the broadcast.

bTV views this as one of the “multiple” instances in which she expressed her political preferences on air, “which is unacceptable and does not meet any journalistic standard”. As another reason for her dismissal, the broadcaster stated that “Maria Tsantsarova allowed herself on air to make numerous comments accusing her immediate superior of exerting editorial pressure - which is his right, prerogative and duty, namely to ensure that all points of view are presented.” As a third violation, bTV highlighted her decision “to extend an interview with a guest on the morning show by more than 15 minutes, as a result of which the News programme was not aired at its scheduled time” - described in the statement as a serious breach of the media outlet’s internal rules.

In its statement, the TV channel described these actions as “unprecedented violations” of professional standards, while also noting that Tsantsarova had been offered a list of leading positions on “other prime-time programmes”. The statement does not explain why such offers were made in light of the accusations.

The media outlet said it would not yield to external pressure and has launched a process to terminate its relationship with the journalist.

According to Article 11 (3) of the Radio and Television Act "public criticism of media service providers by employees thereof shall not be treated as disloyalty to the employer."

On Friday, protesters gathered outside the bTV building in solidarity with Tsantsarova and the other morning show presenter, Zlatimir Yochev. The demonstration was organised by the Association of European Journalists in Bulgaria (AEJ-Bulgaria) under the slogan “The cup has overflowed; we’ve had enough.” The rally followed information circulated earlier on Friday that Tsantsarova, and likely her colleague Yochev, had been removed as hosts of the television station’s morning programme.

“We want to remind that Bulgaria must fulfil its obligations under the European Media Freedom Act, which protects media outlets, public and private alike, from political interference. Unfortunately, what is happening with Maria creates precisely that impression: yet another heavy-handed act of political pressure against independent journalism in Bulgaria,” AEJ said in a statement ahead of the protest.

Before bTV’s statement on Monday, Tsantsarova shared the following on Facebook: "I have always tried to ensure that if something important is not covered in the evening news, viewers of the morning programme would hear it. This morning it did not happen, so, with gratitude to everyone who saw themselves in me and did not remain silent during these days, I want to say — everything is true, only next to my name we should add 'taken off the air'."

BTA attempted to contact Tsantsarova by phone to present her position, but her phone was turned off.

Later on Monday, bTV journalist Stoyan Georgiev announced on Facebook that he has submitted his resignation in support of Tsantsarova: "It is time for real change. [...] I express my support for Maria Tsantsarova because she has my utmost respect as a professional and as a person.," he wrote.

In late September 2025, an international fact-finding mission by press-freedom organizations visited Sofia and concluded that Bulgaria remains among the EU countries with the most serious media-freedom deficits. Speaking at a news conference at the BTA National Press Club, AEJ-Bulgaria’s Irina Nedeva said journalists were increasingly being denied interviews and answers to critical questions, and were facing delays and hostility when seeking information. BTA has also reported that Bulgaria fell from 59th to 70th place in the Reporters Without Borders media-freedom index, with the RSF assessment pointing to persistent intimidation of journalists, risks to editorial independence in both public and private media, and pressure through SLAPP cases.