site.btaJournalists to Stage New Protest amid Media Freedom Concerns after bTV Releases Morning Show Host

The Association of European Journalists – Bulgaria (AEJ-Bulgaria) issued a statement on Monday, saying it will organise a new protest outside the bTV headquarters in Sofia, after the media outlet announced its decision to terminate the contract of journalist Maria Tsantsarova, a host of the TV channel’s morning show. “AEJ-Bulgaria invites journalists and citizens to express their position by taking part in a protest coffee gathering outside the bTV editorial offices from 8 a.m. on Tuesday,” the statement reads.

This will be the second protest in support of Tsantsarova, after protesters gathered outside the bTV building on Friday. “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 ahead of the Friday protest.

“On Friday we said that the cup had overflowed. Attempts were made to downplay our position: claims of ‘normal dialogue’ and ‘standard practice’. A new week, a new beginning – everything has been confirmed, and it is no longer a matter of being taken off air, but of Maria Tsantsarova being dismissed,” AEJ said on Monday. “Come and help us defend freedom of speech and journalists’ right to ask questions, rather than simply follow orders. We wish to stress that this is a professional, not a political protest, and we call on participants to refrain from political agitation.”

AEJ highlighted one of the reasons cited by bTV for its decision to end Tsantsarova’s contract – that she had made numerous on-air 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,” bTV said. “We remind the television management that the Radio and Television Act explicitly grants journalists the right to publicly criticise their superiors and the media outlet they work for,” AEJ stressed.

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

“In various Eastern European countries, entire editorial teams have resigned when owners decide to crack down on one inconvenient journalist. We hope to see a culture of solidarity in Bulgaria as well, because otherwise brave voices in the media are picked off one by one. We also recall that when we speak of standards, we have committed ourselves, through the Ethical Code of the Bulgarian Media, not to give in to political or economic pressure or influence,” AEJ’s statement reads.

“AEJ’s surveys among the journalistic community show that such pressure is a daily reality. Let us show that this time we will not give in to it. That is why we invite everyone, but it is particularly important for Maria’s colleagues at bTV to show solidarity as well,” the statement adds.