SEEMO: Political Pressure on Bulgarian Media Continues*

Bulgaria's Supreme Administrative Court is to try a case filed by Sofia journalist Pavlina Trifonova, working with the daily newspaper 24 Hours against the Council of Ministers for refusing to provide requested information. File Photo

The South East Europe Media Organization, (SEEMO), is alarmed at the political pressure being exercised on media in Bulgaria.

SEEMO, a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists from South East and Central Europe and an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), expressed concern that Pavlina Trifonova, a Bulgarian journalist working with the daily newspaper 24 Hours, had to file a lawsuit against the Bulgarian Council of Ministers in April 2010 in order to receive information she had requested.

Trifonova filed a lawsuit over the refusal of the Bulgarian Council of Ministers to provide information on expenses during trips abroad by Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov.

Trifonova requested information on the number of business trips, the locations they involved, and the expenses incurred. The Council of Ministers simply informed Trifonova that Borisov pays his own costs.

After Trifonova filed the lawsuit against the Council of Ministers, all of the requested information was provided to her.

SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic said: "SEEMO is alarmed about these cases, all of which involve political pressure on journalists and the principle of freedom of expression. It is vital that journalists be able to report freely on current affairs and matters of public concern. Any attempts to influence media independence are unacceptable. The exercise of media independence is fundamental to the credibility of a media organisation, and for governments to seek ways to undermine this principle is appalling in countries that are members of the European Union."

He added: "SEEMO calls upon Romanian and Bulgarian state officials, and officials of the political parties, to express any dissatisfaction towards journalists in another, democratic way instead of blocking communication. They must keep in mind that in a democratic society critical reporting is vital."

On April 13, Novinite.com published an article alarming about the situation.

*The SEEMO press release further includes a case of media pressure in neighboring Romania.

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