Tragic Loss: Two Infants Succumb to Whooping Cough in Bulgaria
Two infants from Kyustendil have tragically lost their lives after contracting whooping cough
Dozens of journalists at the state-run Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) staged a protest Friday in support of media freedom after a colleague known for her coverage of the country's graft-prone judicial system was briefly suspended from her job, writes Reuters.
The case drew criticism from human rights groups and the Bulgarian branch of the Association of European Journalists, which spoke of a "coup against journalistic professionalism" in a country that has the lowest ranking among the 28 European Union member states for press freedom.
The new head of BNR news, Nikolay Krastev, on Thursday suspended Silvia Velikova, a respected radio anchor and reporter, saying she had violated her contract by urging listeners while on air to join a protest over the appointment of Bulgaria's next chief prosecutor.
But many journalists and others saw the move as politically motivated. Facing a strong backlash, Krastev then resigned and Velikova was reinstated.
Amid the turmoil, BNR took its Horizont news channel off the air for five hours and the communications regulation commission said it would investigate the case.
'Ugly, scandalous'
"I'm outraged," said Velichka Paunova, 67, one of the dozens of ordinary citizens who also joined the journalists' protest, accusing Bulgaria's political establishment of trying to muzzle journalists.
"It's ugly, it's scandalous. What are they afraid of? People are not stupid and they understand what this is about."
The issue has crystallized the frustration of many Bulgarians with what they see as a corrupt and opaque political elite and an ineffective judiciary, which have often been criticized by the European Commission.
Bulgaria ranked 111th out of 180 countries in the Reporters Without Borders world press freedom index this year — even below countries in the Western Balkans that are not yet EU members.
We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!
Two infants from Kyustendil have tragically lost their lives after contracting whooping cough
Sofia's Lunar Festival of Lights is back, illuminating the city with more than 20 captivating light installations across its most iconic landmarks.
Overnight, rainfall across the country will temporarily cease, with some areas experiencing breaks in the clouds
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning regarding the spread of bird flu (H5N1) to various species, including humans, expressing deep concern over its impact and potential consequences
Today marks the commemoration of the holy martyr Victor, celebrated by Christians worldwide
Seventh-grader Kaloyan Geshev from Sofia's 125 SU "Boyan Penev" school has once again showcased his remarkable talent in speed calculation, clinching the title of three-time champion in mental math
UN Happiness Report: Bulgaria's Astonishing Leap in Rankings
Bulgaria: 3 Regions With Lowest Life Expectancy - EU Report 2022