site.btabTV Journalist Maria Tsantsarova Dismissed, Sparking Fresh Protests in Sofia

Bulgarian broadcaster bTV announced on Monday that it has decided to part ways with one of the best-known personalities, journalist Maria Tsantsarova, a host of the channel’s morning show. bTV cited multiple reasons for her dismissal, including alleged on-air political bias, accusations against her immediate superior of exerting editorial pressure, and extending an interview in a way that disrupted the broadcast schedule. The channel described these actions as unprecedented violations of professional standards but noted that Tsantsarova had been offered leading positions on other prime-time programmes. The announcement sparked immediate reactions and protests.

Protesters gathered outside bTV last Friday in solidarity with Tsantsarova and her colleague Zlatimir Yochev, as rumour spread that they were being taken off the show. The rally was organized by the Association of European Journalists in Bulgaria (AEJ-Bulgaria), who criticized the move as heavy-handed political pressure and stressed that Bulgaria must comply with the European Media Freedom Act, which protects media outlets from political interference. Tsantsarova herself posted on Facebook thanking supporters and emphasizing her commitment to covering important issues for viewers.

On Monday, AEJ-Bulgaria announced a second protest outside bTV, inviting journalists and citizens to attend a “protest coffee gathering” on Tuesday morning to defend freedom of speech and journalists’ right to ask questions. The association highlighted that the Radio and Television Act explicitly allows journalists to publicly criticize their media employers without being deemed disloyal. AEJ stressed the professional nature of the protest, urging participants to refrain from political slogans while showing solidarity with Tsantsarova and her colleagues.

The dismissal of Maria Tsantsarova is part of the broader picture of concerns about media freedom in Bulgaria. In September 2025, an international fact-finding mission reported that Bulgaria remains among the EU countries with the most serious deficits in press freedom, citing intimidation, risks to editorial independence, and pressure through SLAPP cases. Bulgaria also fell from 59th to 70th place in the Reporters Without Borders media-freedom index.