The watchdog Reporters Without Borders has severely criticized the amount of freedom given to the press in Bulgaria, in a report published Friday.

The report states that "Investigative journalism and media pluralism in Bulgaria are under serious threat from organised crime and from various forms of pressure from political and business quarters."

The report is based on a fact-finding visit two years after Bulgaria joined the European Union in January 2007. "Press freedom is not progressing in Bulgaria," Reporters Without Borders said. Bulgaria was ranked 59th out of 173 countries in the latest Reporters Without Borders press freedom index.

"Organised crime groups that have understood the advantages that can be derived from controlling news and information have extended their ascendency over the media. The grey economy's hold over the press is now threatening news diversity and the survival of investigative journalism. We are disturbed by the situation we found on our visit to Sofia."

The Reporters Without Borders report stated: "Some journalists are resigned to censoring themselves, while others continue to actively resist business and political pressure. But Georgy Stoev's murder last April and a brutal attack on Ognyan Stefanov in September have served as reminders of the risks run by those who refuse to let the press be transformed into nothing more than a communication tool in the service of private interests."

The organisation urges European institutions and news media to maintain an interest in Bulgaria and to extend their support for the country, as this would be of great help in reinforcing the effectiveness of its press freedom NGOs and its news media.

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