AEJ Bulgaria challenges government media standards

The Association of European Journalists (AEJ) – Bulgaria has issued a formal challenge against the Government Information Service regarding its recent assessments of journalistic standards. The dispute arose following a communication from the service concerning media coverage of presidential candidate Iliyana Yotova.

AEJ criticizes the government's expectation that media outlets must broadcast the Prime Minister's statements “in their entirety.” The organization argues that this requirement demonstrates a misunderstanding of journalistic work, stating that journalists are not merely “microphone stands” intended to obediently reflect the words of government officials. AEJ emphasizes that while accuracy is essential, journalists maintain the right to perform critical analysis and focus on specific elements of a statement without it being classified as manipulation.

The association further asserts that the executive branch is attempting to assume the roles of both self-regulators and independent regulators. AEJ points out that ethical standards are monitored by the Commission for Journalistic Ethics, while the Council for Electronic Media serves as the independent regulator. The organization maintains that such government interference contradicts the spirit of the European Media Freedom Act and the Bulgarian Constitution.