Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

International study reveals:

Worrying trends in the work of Bulgarian journalists

Bulgarian journalists work in a toxic environment, under pressure

Photo: Archive

In recent years, journalists in Bulgaria have been aging and declining, they work in a risky and toxic work environment, it is difficult to maintain high professional standards due to various types of pressure and corruption. This is shown by a nationally representative study "Journalists in Bulgaria: Changes and trends 2016-2022", part of the international study "Worlds of Journalism". 

From 5,800 in 2016, journalists in Bulgaria have decreased to 3,800 in 2020, and their average age has increased from 42 to 49.8 years. 

Among the demotivating factors is low pay, one of the scientific leaders of the project, Hristofor Kadarzhov, commented to BNR-Radio Sofia. Karadzhov is a journalist, political and media observer, professor of journalism at California State University, Long Beach, USA.

Only 61% of journalists in Bulgaria receive all their income from their work as journalists. Between two-thirds and one-third of the rest additionally earn from public relations, corporate communications and/or advertising, often placing them in a conflict of interest and dependency.

The survey was conducted from the end of 2021 to April 2022 by the Alfa Research sociological agency through online, telephone and direct interviews with 391 Bulgarian journalists.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

MPs reject amendments on gender reassignment for children in first reading

The National Assembly has rejected in first reading the five proposed amendments to the Child Protection Act . The most controversial proposals relate to gender reassignment for children under the age of 18. The bill by "There Is Such a People" (ITN)..

published on 9/26/24 2:35 PM

Bulgaria and USA discuss the progress on the acquisition of Stryker combat vehicles

The first coordination meeting with the participation of all structures involved in the contract for the acquisition of Stryker combat vehicles for the Bulgarian Land Forces was held under the leadership of Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov. The..

published on 9/26/24 11:58 AM

Albania to be decoupled from North Macedonia on the EU accession path

''Bulgaria and North Macedonia signed a Good Neighbor Agreement, which is part of the EU enlargement plan, and no one can deviate from it, said GERB leader Boyko Borisov, who is also the chairman of the National Assembly Committee on Foreign Policy...

published on 9/26/24 11:43 AM