BNT New Public Council Includes Distinguished Members of the Public

The Bulgarian National Television invited nine distinguuished personalities from different fields of public life to become members of the public council of the broadcaster.

This advisory body to the the Bulgarian National Television will include Prof. Boyan Biolchev (philologist, writer and rector of the Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski in the period 1999 - 2007); Prof. Haralan Alexandrov (social anthropologist and lecturer); Gergana Passi Minister of European Affairs from March 2007 to July 2009); Teodora Dimova (writer), Hilda Kazasyan (jazz singer); Martin Zahariev (Executive Director of National Tourism Board Association); Vanya Gesheva (athlete, medalist from Olympic games and World and European canoe-kayaking championships), Ivan Stambolov (publicist and analyst) and Ivan Kirov (translator and advertiser).

BNT Director General, Konstantin Kamenarov, thanked the members of the Public Council for accepting the invitation to join it and for committing to the mission of the public service boradcaster. "The management of the Bulgarian National Television relies on an active dialogue with the members of the Public Council, led by the desire to be competitive television in terms of public influence. We have a lot of work ahead of us and I believe we will be part of the positive change of the Bulgarian National Television, " Konstantin Kamenarov said.

At the first meeting held on 31^st of January, Prof. Boyan Biolchev was elected chair of the Public Council, and Hilda Kazasyan as deputy chair.

The Public Council is an independent advisory body that assists in fulfilling the public purposes of the Bulgarian National Television. Its members observe the coverage to ensure that the balance of the different points of view and interests in the programmes of the public boradcaster is met and contribute to promoting Bulgarian cultural identity and language. The Council may discuss and offer ideas for programmes related to the public nature of the media.