Bulgarian National Radio’s Head described the situation in the radio as worrying

The tension in the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) continues. On September 24, the head of the media Svetoslav Kostov described the situation as worrying. In a statement, he pointed out that the radio was subject to attacks, which creates conditions for opposing people inside the radio and undermined its prestige.

The statement comes days after the BNR editorial board demanded Kostov's resignation. The Council for Electronic Media (CEM) is due to discuss the request at a meeting on Friday.

The BNR Director General stated that he will seek responsibility from all who have tried to smear his reputation, dignity and professional qualities. According to him, several people use CEM as a conductor of personal interests, slander and unproven claims.

Kostov reiterated that he did not censor the Horizont programme, did not exercise control over speech and public communication, and would do anything to preserve the independence and freedom that BNR journalists carry.

Amid the statement by Svetoslav Kostov, the Association of European Journalists said that on Thursday there would be a protest against censorship. The ruling party GERB submitted a draft decision to the Court of Auditors requsting to carry out a financial audit of the BNR for the period January 2017 to September 2019.

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Horizont programme of the BNR was off air for 5 hours on the morning of September 13. The suspension of broadcasting was investigated by several Bulgarian state institutions, including the Prosecutor’s office and the State Agency for National Security. The investigation was ordered by Chief Prosecutor Sotir Tsatsarov, as the BNR as public broadcaster is meant to always remain on air.

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