Second Day of Bulgarian Media Meeting in Hungary: It Was Noted that BNT Ranks Among the Country’s Opinion Leaders

The second day of the World Meeting of Bulgarian Media, organised by the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA), began with a water blessing service at the Bulgarian Orthodox Church of Sts Cyril and Methodius in Budapest.

• World Meeting of Bulgarian Media in Hungary Dedicated to St. John of Rila

The service was conducted by Metropolitan Anthony of Western and Central Europe.

During the three panel discussions held throughout the day, participants explored various aspects of this year’s theme, “Media and Leaders”. The meeting highlighted that BNT, as the television broadcaster enjoying the highest level of public trust, ranks among the country’s opinion leaders.

BNT Director General Milena Milotinova highlighted key achievements that have established the public broadcaster as a leader. These included winning the Eurovision Song Contest and preparing to host it next year, extensive coverage of the return of Tsar Samuil’s mortal remains from Greece to Bulgaria, and the broadcaster’s excellent work during the FIFA World Cup, the Giro d’Italia and other events.

Milena Milotinova, Director General of BNT: “Moreover, BNT ensured extensive international coverage of these events. The video content prepared by BNT for foreign broadcasters to cover DARA and the BNT team’s arrival at Sofia Airport and the celebrations in the capital’s central square was broadcast 284 times outside Bulgaria, including several live reports, among them by the BBC. The return to Bulgaria of Tsar Samuil’s mortal remains resulted in 106 broadcasts of news reports, as well as several live reports.

“When we talk about the national broadcaster’s leading role, BNT does more than inform the public and lead in news coverage. It also brings important issues of public concern to the fore. One example is the case of Iva Mihaylova from Kočani, who was denied medical treatment in the Republic of North Macedonia for months. BNT raised the issue, prompting a response from institutions in Bulgaria.

“Another example is the ongoing campaign against fentanyl use, along with the investigative reports by Tihomir Ignatov. These reports brought this important issue to public attention, and BNT turned it into a campaign to inform teachers, parents and pupils about the dangers.”

Photos: BTA

Svetla Chalakova, Editor-in-Chief of the Bulgarian-language service of Vatican Radio: “What we see in our society is a lack of spiritual values. Highlighting these values is precisely what the media should aim to do. These are the values that underpin European society, too. We should not forget that our society is built on values rooted in religion, which have increasingly been forgotten in recent times — values such as family and faith.”