site.btaCouncil for Electronic Media Voices Concern Over Proposed Criminalization of Private Life Reporting

The Council for Electronic Media (CEM) published Friday a statement on its website regarding proposed amendments to the Penal Code that would criminalize the dissemination of information about a person’s private life. “The CEM is surprised by the rapid legislative process through which radical proposals are advancing, measures that could negatively affect the media environment and freedom of speech,” the statement reads.

On Thursday, the parliamentary Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs approved at first reading amendments, proposed by There Is Such a People, which criminalize the distribution of media containing information about a person's private life without their consent. "Anyone who, through print or other mass media, electronic information systems or other means, disseminates material or other media containing information about the private life of another person without their consent, shall be punished with imprisonment of one to six years and a fine of BGN 2,000-5,000," says TISP's proposal. Information about personal life within the meaning of the law is understood to mean data about the personal relationships, family relationships, intimate relationships, or health status of a person, according to the bill.

The CEM team emphasized that any legal changes should comply with the European Media Freedom Act, which provides strengthened guarantees for the protection of journalists and freedom of expression.

The regulator also indicated its readiness to provide expert opinions on future drafts directly affecting the media landscape. “The right to privacy and freedom of speech must be balanced in a way that does not undermine the public interest. The CEM is convinced that any legislative changes should not impede full and effective journalistic work,” the statement concluded.