How many Times were Diplomatic Relations between Russia and Bulgaria Severed
If we look at history, there are not many cases in which relations between Bulgaria and Russia at the state level were as bad as they are at the moment.
Finding the Golden Mean
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By Despina Koleva
For once I agree with the Council for Electronic Media (CEM). I agree that the newly adopted TV curb decision should be revised.
I also agree with Interior Minister Rumen Petkov that it was impracticable and incomprehensible. And, guess what, I also agree with the Novoto Vreme (New Time) political faction that the adoption of the curb in its initial version would be a flashback to communist times. Needless to say, the latter is the least Bulgaria needs in its desperately courageous attempts to rise and shine in the European Union on January 1, 2007.
Do not get me wrong, however. I largely fail to favor TV channels' pathetic attempts to raise ratings by broadcasting footage or films containing barbarous acts of violence. However, banning news on crime and suicide until 11.00 pm constitutes, in my humble opinion, committing an act of violence on freedom of speech. That such footage should be subjected to certain ethical guidelines remains indubitable.
Even more to the point, if a TV channel is to follow the many of the rules on showing sex, it will undoubtedly lose a large portion of its adult audience. Of course, explicit sex and hardcore porn scenes have no place on dinnertime broadcasts. Yet presenting sex topics only in the "birds and bees" documentary format does not appear to me as a viable option.
And what about TV commercials? Most of them suggest that if you buy a certain product the consumer will become sexier and more sensual or get more sex more often. How would CEM rule out on this one, following its guidelines? Or viewers will have to only watch commercials like the one where a cartoon ostrich chased its own but around a tree?
Therefore, I believe CEM has to undertake, together with the journalist guild, a joint attempt to find the golden mean. And as we all know well enough, defining this concept constitutes a tricky matter, which requires a solid amount of compromise on the part of both sides. And as we know even better, neither is very much prone to concessions.
For once I agree with the Council for Electronic Media (CEM). I agree that the newly adopted TV curb decision should be revised.
I also agree with Interior Minister Rumen Petkov that it was impracticable and incomprehensible. And, guess what, I also agree with the Novoto Vreme (New Time) political faction that the adoption of the curb in its initial version would be a flashback to communist times. Needless to say, the latter is the least Bulgaria needs in its desperately courageous attempts to rise and shine in the European Union on January 1, 2007.
Do not get me wrong, however. I largely fail to favor TV channels' pathetic attempts to raise ratings by broadcasting footage or films containing barbarous acts of violence. However, banning news on crime and suicide until 11.00 pm constitutes, in my humble opinion, committing an act of violence on freedom of speech. That such footage should be subjected to certain ethical guidelines remains indubitable.
Even more to the point, if a TV channel is to follow the many of the rules on showing sex, it will undoubtedly lose a large portion of its adult audience. Of course, explicit sex and hardcore porn scenes have no place on dinnertime broadcasts. Yet presenting sex topics only in the "birds and bees" documentary format does not appear to me as a viable option.
And what about TV commercials? Most of them suggest that if you buy a certain product the consumer will become sexier and more sensual or get more sex more often. How would CEM rule out on this one, following its guidelines? Or viewers will have to only watch commercials like the one where a cartoon ostrich chased its own but around a tree?
Therefore, I believe CEM has to undertake, together with the journalist guild, a joint attempt to find the golden mean. And as we all know well enough, defining this concept constitutes a tricky matter, which requires a solid amount of compromise on the part of both sides. And as we know even better, neither is very much prone to concessions.
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