CEU eTD Collection Ownership Irregularities inBulgarian Private In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Implications forFreedom of Speech Supervisor: Professor Lina Dencik Lina Professor Supervisor: Department of Political Science Political of Department Central European University European Central Mass Media: Andrey Anastassov Budapest, Hungary Submitted to Submitted 2012 By CEU eTD Collection Democracy monitoring for report 2011. Media aFoundation on based analysis, content featured a and media in their developments bythe affected are directly who journalists with interviews features research the addition, field. the In problems, characterizing the contribution to further offers academic This paper a in country. the mediaon environment the in reports their tendency the havediscussed experts concentration,monopolization, hidden agenda and suppression of freedom of speech. Numerous Bulgarian mass mediaprivate experiences increasing They problems from with ownership. suffer Abstract i CEU eTD Collection whose interviews comprised the most innovative findings in the research. in the findings innovative most the comprised interviews whose inspiration and support. I am also grateful to the anonymous journalists A, B, J, H, X, and Z, begin working on andthis project, my supervisor Professor Linafor Dencik,her understanding, I would like to thank my brother HristoAnastassov, without whose guidance I would not even Acknowledgements ii CEU eTD Collection Chapter 1: Media Ownership in Theory in Ownership 1: Media Chapter 1 ...... Introduction ...... ii Acknowledgements ...... i Abstract Contents Reference ...... 53 Reference ...... 48 Annex Conclusion ...... 46 5: Chapter Speech of ...... Freedom 32 for Implications 4: Chapter Methodology ...... 22 3: Chapter Media Mass ...... Private 11 Bulgarian in Ownership 2: Chapter 4.2. C. Summary4.2.C. of the Analysis ...... 45 4.2.B. Interviews Analysis...... 36 Interviews4.2.Journalists with ...... 35 NewspaperContent4.1 Analysis ...... 32 3.3.Approach theto Interviewees ...... 28 3.2.Validity ofthe Methodology...... 27 3.1.Literature Methodologyon the ...... 23 Political2.2.Economicand Influence ...... 18 Timeline 2.1...... 11 1.2.Media Ownership Issues inLiterature ...... 5 Terms Key 1.1 ...... 3 4.2.B. c)Outside Pressure onJournalists ...... 43 4.2.B. b)Owners andJournalists ...... 42 Editorsa) JournalistsandB. 4.2...... 36 ...... 3 iii CEU eTD Collection (Zlatev, 2009). According to the Bulgarian affiliate of affiliate Bulgarian the According to 2009). (Zlatev, economic dependency andor political clearer self-censorship, media products, the degradation of Institute outlets willbe required toregister withthe body to operate lawfully” (Human RightsWatch, 2012) 1 howthese they attempts andare toindicate problems what outline ownershipIt problems. massBulgarian thefact This mediapaper acknowledges that from private suffers growing adetailed media features opinion on Media Democracy,2012). regulation (Foundation Media Democracy the to according jobs”, “hold second to need often and salaries low very paid are themselves Journalists journalists. investigative to threats Italy. ofinterest, varyfrom through Problems conflicts financingobscure media direct of to country in one of the It placed the 2012). yearsbottomHouse, from it (Freedom previous Free,as downgrading Partly also three places countries. EU of other all with ranking,compared the the European Union,Bulgaria’sto 80 together with Romanialaw, and example forgrowing Hungary Although an pluralism issues. mediaaccepted unprecedented indexes. of freedom country’s score the a decreasing to led have expression of diversity and journalism fair of principles the of Breaches Like many countries,other Bulgaria experiences growing problems media with ownership. Introduction “ The new law creates a media control body, with members appointed by the ruling 1 which allows for direct control of the State over media, the country is still 40 published indicating areport the following problems with media:Bulgarian general th place (Reporters without Borders, 2012). The country is now at the bottom of , 2011 was a year of alsofreedomyear and“less Thereport conflicts.” of more, 2011wasa Reporters withoutReporters Borders Freedom Hous Freedom 1 Freedom House Konrad AdenauerStiftung e report. In 2009,the e report. , on itshand, ranked Bulgaria gave the country as an party in parliament. All media - Open Society th Foundation , compared CEU eTD Collection process freeof process expression. Therefore, I propose a different andmore insightful approach to the issue, and how it affects the for similar works. been media andhasnot considered analysts by other beenneglected generally pressure, basedon bias.ownership This topic to the approach of media issueshas ownership ifThey suggest workprocess the of an average Bulgarianis journalistby affected editorial in massmedia for private journalists thecountry. with interviews working outlets standardized Theupdated issues insideoutlets. with of overview the issemi- occur different complemented investigations of through localthe indebt mediaenvironment, analysis processes the of which totheacademicand non-governmental speech.contributes freedom affect work of The 2 CEU eTD Collection Press, 2012),butalso “whoowns the media” andultimately,how affectsfreedom this speech.of inis intheUSA likeit (Free a fewof hands the corporations” is comemedia concentrated “how mere identification of the owners and the source of their money). The central question is not only concentration of ownership, here the focus includes ownership issues as a whole (including the and media relates solely conglomerates manytimes this framework power Although to it. for have designed experts and scholars which frames, existing theoretical the refers to also of paper, this purposes For the structures. ownershipconglomerate into relation predominantly occasions, inseveral rare include radio modernthe (Humphreys,world 1996:1).LikeHumphreys himself, Iwould allow myself to in communication political of agents main the and media mass the of instruments main the are omission of by radio, Humphreys’ siding with Peter clarification: press the […] and television justify would andtelevision. I the exclusively press thisexamines research almost this category, Private media mass free locally journalism.pressure on specific concerns. However, as we will see later in this work, the country suffers from a more intense and media mass global the with inline much very are media in Bulgarian problems existing The 1.1 Key Terms Chapter 1:Theory on Media Ownership are the media outlets, which do not feature any publicfunding model. Under media ownership 3 bears not only its self-explanatory meaning, but CEU eTD Collection Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of the UN of definition universal time same mostconsequence media problemsthe with accessible regulation. The of ownership atthe and the second half of the work. The implication to their level is going to be suggested as a Diversity ofopinion Television (2002) is given as an example of regulatory legislation in this relation. European ontheissue. The Convention legislature aunifiedTransfrontier of appreciate binding European Unionthe imply that researchers The media pluralism. and of transparency aspect crucial as the most is increasinglypoint of concern in the research. In Stolte and Smith’s research, ownership regulation is regarded demandingidentify is andSmith, regulation acentral Ownership tool (Stolte without the to 2010:3). them regulation. steps address excessivemedia concentrations be take to asitimpossible to regulation, would media pluralism heartof any very the lies at onownership data andup-to-date accurate However, Ownershipthe regulation member statesin clarified media section the “Mapping contemporary ownership”. do not The businessrelated structures. exact positioninginfluence and between is economic political from influence economic and andparties major the oppositional government from the influence Nevertheless, in the case of Bulgaria, they are actually very mixed. The patterns include political Political influence owners. biased A isto theexamination inthiscentral journalism research role devoted influenceof under the of and and is one of the most central notions for this thesis. “The availability of availability “The thesis. this for notions central most the of one is economic influence Freedom of speech Freedom of freedom of speech of freedom are differentiated with the purpose of greater clarity. of with aredifferentiated greater purpose the are two related notions that are observed mostly mostly in are observed that notions related are two 4 (1966): is the one in Article 19 of the International the of 19 Article in one the is CEU eTD Collection categories of concern about concentration 13). (1998: of categories about concern Dean Alger.Inhisbook ownership,A irreversibly time. also discussant is phenomenon of the progresses which key over media of aspect problematic most asthe hasperceived been It of concentration. pattern the regard economy,market to public is without is Theconcern service biggest harmful. central and media, behind that consolidated understanding whichentirely the follows thedemandsof a free Academia focuses progressively onmedia ownership the issues. years, Throughout scholars have Literature in Issues Ownership 1.2. Media entertainment shows andthe consequent impact onsociety. public affairsmaterials communicated media; andby the (4) thedegradation of features and of competing media sources, cross-marketing, and othermeans; (3) deterioration of the news and elimination and dominance general – through ideas” of marketplace “the – ideas and information of (1) economicunfair competition and distortion ofmarket principles; (2)unfair competition realm the morals. (b) For the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health or (a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others; are provided by law and are necessary: and responsibilities. It may therefore be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as 3. The exercise of the rights provided for in paragraph 2 of this article carries with it special duties choice. of his media other any through or of art, form in the in print, or receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing2. Everyone haveshall the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom seek,to 1. Everyone haveshall the right to hold opinionswithout interference. Megamedia (his way of calling media conglomerates), he outlines four he outlines conglomerates), media calling of way (his 5 CEU eTD Collection of Columbia University. 2 Lee Bollinger Alger to journalism refers Later, quality. decrease of monopoly (harming diversityIn words, other his four problems media with concentrated are:economic monopoly,idea of opinion), distortion of news in certain directions, and overall between these factors and the state can be found in Ben canbeBen Bagdikian’s in andfound state factors the these between my study) relation on the More profoundconsequently bigger relevance to emphasis(157). (and management editorial on owners corporate of intrusion is the Another cost-cutting. corporate is debtfactor from In Alger’sviewoneof journalism implications the affectalso (156). which debts, big of creation the includes empires media bound economically of development aboutqualityworries, not news,of The butaboutprofitability” (1998:154).pattern of This, in Alger’s opinion, in The years offer of stock been public in media corporations the has recent a major problem. led to growing attention giants. media local the on business Street Wall to “Wall Street’s effectof outthe points first US,he the concerns;his focuses on work fact that the Concerning developed. and Wall Street media are shine monopolies which patterns the through alsolight on to a attempts book Alger’s concentration. media increased of tendency the over outcry common the well very systemize and in 153).Theideas of Alger,1998: outline control fewer”(Bellinger two pressbecome the the who of asthenumber those more serious become all concerns these “[…] Of course, problem: dependency between news corporations and the political elite, Bagdikian refers to a letter by the by letter a to refers Bagdikian elite, political the and corporations news between dependency inter- strong the of As anexample 5). (1990: in media” the appear – not do appear –or their life,including perceptionsperception ofpolitics audiences’ publicof and as politicians they influence because they precisely influenceconsiderable government within exert corporations Lee Bollinger atthe timeof Alger’s publication was President atMichigan University. Now,he serves as President 6 The MediaMonopoly: 2 ’s formulation on the “[…] CEU eTD Collection owners have the capacity “to order” the media in interest. the content order” havetheir“to own capacity owners the own employees for the achievement of influence.their Theand second politicians assumptionboth ispressure that to corporate ability exquisite the have who ones the are They owners. from corporate media comes exclusively misuse of power of usual type the and Bandikian, Alger by indicated As influence. of pattern definite very a implies conglomeration media mass Two very important assumptions canwhofreedoms but had recently favor”granted them a corporate (100). be derived from this example. manendorsehad fora professionals previously attacked their president who constitutional to The first is that their “ordered owners corporate the deal, endofthe at the that confirms author the example, American Nixon’s back to Going (95). careers” their political affect can reporting whose media empire, the of beneficiaries special become they awarethat have arequite committee Time political Inc. from a money receiving “Candidates in local elections. money competitors to media donate the candidates in the US. Specially designated political action committees, operated by the owners of Among the patterns of influence, wecan findalso mediacorporations funding favored on media influence irregular politicians. of examples corporate many other also to refers Theauthor USPresident. the to attitude for afavorable exchange some situations. According Bagdikian, to corporation the demanded monopoly law in exemption in be thatmaystill present I referitbut pattern as aninstancefor aparticular to significantly, been has reformed law andmedia ethics sincefactenvironment then, the that acknowledge I andthemedia. elites political the between connection undercover the for instance classical President of Hearst Corporation to Richard Nixon in 1969 (90). This case may serve as a 7 CEU eTD Collection in relative terms” (Compaine, 2001). He is one of the few authors who advocate that the notion the that whoadvocate authors the few of is one He 2001). (Compaine, terms” in relative Because all developed economies grow, enterprises that grow larger are often simply staying still context. needs bigger” “getting that and seem…” they as as powerful arenot conglomerates andof power suppression mediagrowing giants,of Compaine “media claimedthat McChesney Benjaminwas involved inwith with expert Compaine in2001.Incontrast ideathe sides which is between two debate the conflict the the An illustration of ownership problem. of the defactosignificance the opposes sector of vocal analysis less media the A much part this vision on the owners’ impact is also shared in the rest of the developed democratic world. Although his cover generally US, participatory (McChesney, the works 426). democracy” 2008: for prospects the poorer the become, have media giants the more powerful and wealthier “The itin way: put an explicit McChesney, Robert media analysts, contemporary respected most Oneof the media researchers. hasmajority by the well-known been of that opinion shared the is an This speech. of freedom and democracy affects negatively phenomenon the agree that to need we media, mass in making news influence owners how of details the on focusing Before newsmaking, is there frequentinterference from owners on ‘inconvenient’ stories. impliesin material is (Ibid.). that This developed extremely rare” killed of process was the after continues: “Unfortunately, behind-the-scenescovered kind this atwhat look of orwas wasnot “Time Warner’s mergerthen-pending with Broadcasting, Turner parentof CNN” (Ibid.). Alger inTimelight” anunflattering (1998:171).Eventually,air notCNN story, the becauseof did an example of a breachin relation.this CNNwas developing aninvestigation, which would “cast focus mechanicson the of inside owner-editor-journalist is observation needed. Algermentions In to outlineorder mediamay journalism howprecisely hinderfree owners and good a further 8 CEU eTD Collection problems with ownership exist everywhere, but are changing according to the businessthe and to butare changing accordingproblems ownershipeverywhere, exist with that am implying I be different. might it countries in other information, on influence their and is biggest newsenvironment above) intheAmerican corporations concern conglomeration the of mentioned was (as If another. to state one from significantly vary may issues these problem, addto by issues irreversible. To the aregenerally ownership produced academics andNGOs,still hasbeen of amountwork a significant fact that the negative. Despite the tendency is produced, is issues conglomeration and ownership on literature of majority the where US, the in even that growinglythat the freemedia(McChesney, Theevidencedisturbs environment 2008). suggests authors’ mostisMcChesney is position other acommon common ownershipand that problem are. from media concentration potential implications what the like the unlawful instruments Times,York 2012).Apparently,like empire, anyother this undemocratic onefeatures properties, to create news. In the New main as“Buildingan Empire” (The occupation thatdeterminedfew sources Murdock’s process of developing, of the one just is Times NewYork The its presence. for reason as key the accuse conglomeration this scandal shows still continues developing every andproducing news updates majority day, the of conclusions the halt,takeover figures bidmany While and anarrestof (The key Telegraph, scandal 2012). the BSkyB in closurea resulted World, Newsof of the the for field. the the It levels unprecedented to escalated of branch his mediaempire British scandal the The with opposite. the of example Murdock areperhapsmost recent However, aroundRupert apparent the the developments inprinciples. line marketregulate with self- areable issince the to companies owning media enhancing democracy, actually market a free his view, In of media isamyth concentration creation. the over of concern a growing 9 CEU eTD Collection action. Let us also notinsufficiencies. and forget criticisms scholars’ presents also Galik but that goals, promising have to seems this is still an observational measurement The concentration. of thedegree alsomeasures It markets. inlocal media outlets tool, which does count the number is main of purpose to not Its Index. Directivea tool, Diversity called in2007and implement further media for establish legislation has diversity resulted protective in adoption the Audiovisual the of to effort continuous The reasons.” for political media concentration on power regulatory questionprotect opinion media needto the giveand diversity, butare“reluctantto uptheir own Member supranational States themselves media oppose regulation. not They generally do not give anyuniversal for reasons Oneof this,direction. by biggest the asindicated is Galik, that It only gave theoretical direction to the Member States to implementmedia regulation, but does EUdesignedthe anarticlehas that been by defined Galik as a“tiny legal loophole” (2010:237). the problem,institutional commitmentto seeming (Galik, Despite the 2010). 1970s until present challengeoutlines of efforts to suppression from diversity European the the community abovementionedissue of withinspecificities borders the of all 27 countries. Mihaly Galik faces it US,though, the the Compared to ofmediaissues ownership. with concerned the less is EU no the that indicates this Nevertheless, level. a ground at stays still directives supranational create idea to the but media concentration, of problem the recognizes and freedom speech and toopinion of theEUcommits itself diversity been indicated, As has already European Union has made only hesitantattempts to implementsupranational regulation. political specificities of the different countries. Perhaps, this is one of the reasons why the 10 CEU eTD Collection majority of the countries from the former media the mentioned of andcriticism, already law.Nevertheless, because discussions the regime, who are now members of the EU, post-communistare countries have less notable problems. Hungary has been part of fierce within a member of the EU and a very young post-communist democracy.traditional democracies. These challenges However, comefrom its unique position of a country that isthe both restin ones the ofthan the ownership media EU with challenges different conceptually has Bulgaria before, mentionedAsneeded. also isIhave further academicresearch suggestthat existing literature limited the and environment media worsening of signals abovementioned the both Nevertheless, is naturally following the growing problems. in issues media Bulgarian ownership interest increaseof The academic local media environment. acquainted the with get investigators to for contemporary increased, whichallows analysts have traditions have economy and that politics media and concentration aremedia speech, of freedom very Bulgarian on limited compared works this, academic add to To havediscussed. we countries in than the principles of democratic to those in the US. Overbreach bigger forfree even thatallows experience itis market modest otherhand, the the exactly the years,On is smaller. pattern works corporate international and American in the fall to of risk the that mediaimplying US and the older EU Member States. On the hand,one the country has smaller capital traditions, ispresumehardissues have It bigger media Bulgaria to with not wouldthe that than ownership 2.1. Timeline Chapter 2:Ownership in Bulgarian Private Mass Media 11 CEU eTD Collection which were to a which werelarge newthe to influence. under Western occurring extent reforms, for initiations and opinion of diversity like growing positive nuances, were there course, developing mafia. Communisthad Party favorable themost both position in economics, andpolitics, the former directly the Security’,figures related to and ‘State communism calledservice, during former secret tothe Figures 2009). Times, related NewYork (The oldnew regimethe and the between break connections the to failed Bulgaria Germany,united and Republic Slovakia) and Czech –the (later Czechoslovakia Unlike elite. former totalitarian the of position favorable first years of inbuildfree the it from was difficultto scratch apress media environment, Bulgariantightly controlled transitionAfter this local media” (1997:126). tothe grant the samerights to refused leadership Bulgarian to democracy. The complication was increased due to the Nikolchev puts it “when it puts Nikolchev europefuture/bulgaria_3825.jsp services”state security (Open Democracy, 2006) or Russia, by contrast, the power ofthe mafia was based on the ubiquitous power ofthe Communist Party and its unemployed.became Inthe ensuing period, the mafia became anannex of thestate. In countries such as Bulgaria Habsburg imperial powers withdrew and the majority of those previously employed by the army and police 3 Gorbachev’s even that strictly censored was so The mediacontent numbertotal 1997). of 17 (Nikolchev, the Central Committeecontent. Even worse, ofthe only existing newspapersthe were actually published and edited directlyCommunist by party. dictated regime, which totalitarian party-centered aone was under Bulgaria 1989 Up until Until 1989 those newspapersin year is in asBulgaria, much same higher the ranking. the accounted for a the top 50 of the “TheBulgarian is mafia a product of the country's totalitarian past. In Sicily, the mafia was formed when the perestroika Reporters without Borders 3 In this sense, real termination of the former regime never occurred. Of occurred. never former regime of the real termination Inthis sense, was too brave to reflect (Nikolchev, 1997: 126). As media expert Ivan mediareflectAsbrave expert (Nikolchev, 1997:126). wastoo to perestroika and http://www.opendemocracy.net/democracy- ranking. Even Romania, which has entered the union glasnost 12 were initiated in the Soviet Union, the Union, Soviet in the initiated were CEU eTD Collection of human rights and freedoms in the communist regime. 4 that they are direct inheritors of former regime. the of inheritors are direct they that was structures for political powerful and the most economic impression overall the Nonetheless, mass media ownership, they need toknow who owns what. Attempts to map local outlets date local environment. Before anyone can indicate the scope of the current problems with private contemporary the of is problems of ownership fundamental one the media outlets Undercover hidden PR. and bias, and influence political undercover regulation, and law-making in are implications the Narrowly, media. Bulgarian in journalism good affect which irregularities, mutually-fulfilling informationsufficient inon problemsthe press. frontthe of From relation come disturbing that The relationship between media owners, political parties and business circles could provide the majority of the challenges that the press has until present. lightmay on show Itismedia that press. freedom mightaffectthe ownership of that connections isinthere in media, noit theinvestment is transparency suspectundercover natural to originthe in of investmentthe influentialseveral of mostthe newspapers in When country.the provide 2010).Thisneed” not seem I Utre, for (Sliven does Dnes to asatisfactory explanation From it1990 Ikeeprespondingcomes from that moresales andyou do whatadvertising… responded to this criticism with:“from keep 1990they asking mehave where I themoney from. new was outlets the origin of money. of most One successfulthe publishers,Blaskov, Petyo developingnot offer did for enoughground transparency. widespread Themost forconcern the influencing thenewly developing massmediain thecountry. Thefirstyears in it which started Oneof the clearest examples for that would be the incapability of the new governments to criminalize the breach 13 4 Naturally, this could not stop from CEU eTD Collection suggested that clearly very was it time first the for Also, the media. local the of newcommercializing for tendency ‘media elite’ was stronglyindicated the first This was andmoretabloids. casual bylighter The nichewasovertaken affiliated with the 1997: 129). past apparatus. The most fromcirculation dropped half amillion to70,000andeach 50,000respectively (Nikolchev, and much werevery politically With of progress thenewspapers’charged. the though, time, place were taking that events in the involved actively were people period that In newregime. the Cause) Delo (Workers’ was one first The party-affiliated. explicitly were powerful newspapers a most two the than time.period, this newspapersat In three (Nikolchev,Nevertheless, 1997:128). attention largest the notwas continuously paidmoreto 928 newspapers magazines1993) the rose 777 1990 tonumberto outlets and print of during the first years of democracy and right after enormously has diversified media market the Bulgarian the that suggest could overview A quick fall of communism. For three years (from of business relations, but also evaluate the overall media environment. 2005/2006 Bulgaria has in like sections occupied mediaregional reports, the back tothe end of 90s.Sincethe then,on reports the dynamics in havebeenownership growing. newspaper publishing started which Party, Socialist Bulgarian the – Party Communist the of inheritors the was movement Their contrary voters. –oriented Western the wastargeting which organization, media of the Union of Democratic Forces. The party was the quickly formed largest oppositional . The significance of these reports is very large. They not only outline the narrow issue Duma (Word). Duma Duma . The peak of the two partisan newspapers was in the very first years first of very newspapers wasinthe partisan peakof two the . The was a continuation of the communist bulletin communist the of a continuation was Demokratsia (Democracy), Demokratsia 14 South EastMediaHandbook which was the political the was which Rabotnichesko CEU eTD Collection newspaper publisher, who was criticizing the government. Popova also suggests thatthe Popova newspaperwas criticizing government. also suggests who publisher, the Therefore, in WAZ 2006). apowerful acquired local the spherelargest –the position public (Popova, first by the won gradually were they but Commission, Protection Competition the and restrictions on the corporation. For example, there were numerous lawsuits between the group see reluctantto such beast,they nota growingsucceed media could inimposing legislative the (UDF)wasquite Forces Democratic Union of of Althoughmarket. then the the government distributing agencies (Ibid). This was considered as a step towards closing the chain of the media and houses publishing largest acquirethe was to cartelize the market WAZ enabledto that move next The consequently. much reversed been not has tendency this Unfortunately, much more favorable position than any newspaper (Popova, 2006:108).other deals advertisersto for theirmost two popularnewspapers. This automatically them intoa put joint offered they Firstly, market. media print the of monopolization for in schemes involved gradually was WAZ difficulties. financial experiencing already was 90s the of end the at Their first purchase wasthe purchase first Their inentered themarket amounting investment, 1996 with littlean to more than 50 million Euro. group press TheGerman Velislava Popova. by media analyst examined The wasclosely deal Westdeutsche (WAZ). AllgemeineZeitung investor newspaper foreign umbrella single the of 131). Itbecamelarge evenmoremedia whenthe two disturbing werejoined groups under the As early as 1997 moneytheir was suspiciousmedia source like to experts Nikolchev (1997: and labor organizations media. labor organizations (Labor) successful ones were yet again linked with linked former wereyetagain regime. the with successful ones Trud were initially published by journalists from journalists by published initially were was publishedby 24 Chasa Media Holding, 168 ChasaPressGroup, was owned by a press group called ownedbyapressgroup was which privatized thelabor unions’ house. publishing 15 and the second was second the and Rabotnichesko Delo Rabotnichesko 24 Chasa (24Hours) 168 ChasaPress Group Media Holding, and the communist and the and which Trud CEU eTD Collection towards a comfortingtowards in the political andeconomic zonewithin of the country. spectrum Most Throughout the years, owners the newspapers of majorthe hadgradually themselves oriented of other businesses, which as we can see later, often affects the objectivity in the outlets. large portfolio Open a also owns governmental Society. Mr. Prokopiev relatedto organizations, andnon- associations toWestern close and arebusiness oriented are considered outlets initiallynewspaperby financialfrom owned Prokopiev, who Ivo Reuters. The received aid media Daily are two Capital by Weekly and Dnevnik too. laterused The model other was same its readers. carsto for expensive games lottery offering itstarted circulation, increase the to order Monitor justundertook he after The model soldhis project. previous in was again tabloid, and businessman’s expulsion. He still possesses the majority of the shares in the Bulgariafor after theperiod Corni Mr. asarepresentativeto of acted Batkov. Batkov Todor lawyer Bulgarian his of inpossession officially still is which –Levski, clubs football popular security 2006:110).Before( Popova, Corni that, also acquired oneof largest twothe andmost Corni, whowas expelled from governmentthe of UDF in year2000forthe threatening national Michael oligarch, wasby The Russian owned company newspaper Standart. Holding acquired There were several other powerful gradual attempts toprotectcompetition. newspaper groupsfollowed government’s This the newspapers. in the WAZ them against campaign triggered that in the country. Offshore from negative the is consequence adirect UDF inthe of government the decreased trust company MSG developedby the owner who sold dubious image insignificantinfluenceand on generalthe public. was Daily Monitor a newspaper in newspapersThe remaining wasfilledby marketof the andweeklieswith spacepopular dallies 168 Chasa Press Group Chasa Press 168 16 to WAZ – Mr. Petyo Blaskov. He Standart Daily Standart . CEU eTD Collection 6 UDF. It closed in 2002, only a year after the end of the term. 5 three coalition parties: the former communists ( communists former the parties: coalition three received a for joiningdate the EU.The nextgovernment, which formedwas in included 2005, localWestern, and government, Russianinfluence. Bulgarian joined that During NATO and formed a party, country and returnedtothe Ghotta, Bulgarian Saxe-Kobourg 2001 the former Simeon king, which won against In country. the of elite political changes inthe been radical three 10 yearstherehave last For the the UDF. His formation(2006: 108-109). Others wereoutdatedandforced to shutdown. was centrist,coverdispersedshares amongto status companies’ in their uptheirmonopoly ‘friends’ order balancingthem abused between the weak legislative system, in order to survive and expand. For example, WAZ report on Bulgarian media and the financial crisis by the Soros Foundation states “a media Foundation Bulgarian financial dramaticreport on that states bythe Soros andthe crisis survive.A to adjust environment tothe had to press and Bulgarian region, in the continent the crisis economic ongoing the and governance in Bulgarian powers changing the of context the In opposition manipulatingof the local elections in (The October Sofia Echo, 2011). by beenthe accused has government regime. the The to affiliates former many are there but conservative, is audience. Theprofile right of amixed isBulgaria)of compound Development with world underground the and crime. His organized party GERB 2009 the new governmentwasled byBoykoBorisov, prime-minister, current often associated loss.elections In whichledtotheir consequent by increasingmarkeddiscontent, public term was Security.formertheir endof The tothe State is perceivedasconnected generally party, which GERB is also a word game, since the word means ‘coat of arms’ Formerparty newspaper Demokratsia gradually lost its legitimacy by the end of the term of the government of 17 BSP), Simeon’s partyand the Turkish minority 5 6 (Citizens for the European for the (Citizens CEU eTD Collection withdrawal of German WAZfrom corporation marketinthe 2010.ItisDecember more even years. deal significant was the in The most two last the ownership changed newspapers mainstream influential most the of all Almost country. the of environment media in the changes Foundation, groundbreaking precededsome closely The Soros bythe evaluation, provided Influence andEconomic 2.2. Political outlets. local of quality carefulgeneralmarket governments arenot regulation. too about Thisleadsto the degradation of living space.Inthisspace,challenging mediathe isnottoo thegovernments and to the in mediaenvironment Bulgarian is they found politics and common gradually anunhealthy that mechanism in for concentration convenient from impression The overall ownership. the of establishment in the resulted This regime. totalitarian censoring the after liberalization isolated from any regulation, canalso of type its beexplained which with rushed and radical Bulgarian media subjectto obscurity.marketbecame waspredominantly Consequently,too the businessnon-corrupted Evidence environment. suggeststhat the process ofinitial investment in a establish to how was challenge first The challenges. different and many too to subject been To sum up, the fortransitional Bulgarian massperiod media, and have particularly newspapers, institutions. of state influence reporting, salaries budgets, shrinks andand positions increasingly becomes on the dependent in investigative invest to reluctant is media mainstream that indicates also He dependency. general mediadegradation of self-censorship products, andclearerpolitical economicor time: the for in media trends negative several indicates Zlatev, Ognian Bulgaria, for observant in drop visible, advertisingthe is in especially media” revenue (Zlatev, traditional the The 2009). 18 CEU eTD Collection ambiguous property deals with private companies. Her son, Deyan Peevski, was deputy minister was deputy Her son,DeyanPeevski,ambiguous companies. property with deals private state-owned between lottery 2002and She company 2005. was fired forbecause of accusations one cable TV and bTV channel and TV7 channels television terrestrial - BBT.largest the of two controls The also NBMG it. hides owner of the group is Irena Krusteva,but afew publications, same owns the other that group There areallegations NBMBG website). who was CEO of the 220, 000(see circulation of 180,000to reachingacurrent market, shares larger the acquiringof relatively new –New isBulgarian group Foundedin Media Group. Group gradually 2007, the A more significant(Dnevnik, 2011(3)). change has market state the tocontrol newspaper distribution interview,the In his hesuggestedthat first in the press the (Dnevnik,of Publishers 2011(2)). later became Union the example president the Pavlov market was For with the government. which is bya connected team solely becontrolled newspapers will the centralization on instance secondleftthe hewas (Dnevnik, Thisfollow-up bigconcernsrefused 2011). that the appeal followed.instance,first it right On ofGrozev the granted participateto to but inthe project, ownership businessmeninhis Bulgarian alargershareA acquired ownership, without concession.the court in one withGrozev, the Hristo complained whoworked though, thatfewmonths Habsburg, later, media One group. exception was it that involvedalso the Austrian crown heir, Karl A Habsburg. in Sopharma, shiftthe the direction re-nationalization Ognyanwas arguably of Donev.of The and thenumerous ownercompanies, of including the biggestpharmaceuticals producer printing houseand one distributing agency, acquired were byformer banker, Lyubomir Pavlov, interesting sold whothey The their to. newspapers possessions 24Chasa,168Trud, one 19 CEU eTD Collection 7 or members tothird party particularly unfavorable This situation was MediaGroup. Bulgarian many argue that thispresidential elections have given tothea thumbs-up quo,” wrote status Economist.the However, is to a great local and “Bulgaria’s 2011). Economist, (The please” was “More of same the extent inOctober) held aided by theThe Economist’s comment lastthe on municipal andelections president in Bulgaria were (which press, owned or affiliatedand BSP and MRF as the only alternative to the government. to the Newreport itis suggested that theleading lineislegitimizeto GERB as majorthe governing party (Bulgarian Socialist Party) Media (Foundation andMRF In Democracy, Foundation’sthe 2012). highlighted thethat “group of Delyan major wasfavoringPeevski” three -GERB,BSP parties Media Democracy analysisFoundation of Amedia monitoring currentgovernment. to the favorable TradeBankare exceptionally and Corporate MediaGroup New Bulgarian umbrella of are underthe media that all of the media. Nevertheless, with other the beassociated to refused isTsvetan Vassilev, that admitted oneof linked mediagroup’s televisionsthe to –TV7,but bank, same CEOof the The aswell. companies, state-owned of other assets the possesses owned companies of Ministry the inEconomy of Bulgaria (Dnevnik, 2011(4)). Thebank financed through Corporate Trade Bank, which isin possession of 70% of the assets of the state- quantitatively and qualitatively both affiliated are possesses NBMG newspapers the Nevertheless, with the government. the opposing governingofficially party is member which sameparty, from the Peevski isa parliament Mr. currently government. GERB. For example, the majority of their deals is in the parliamentary of for Rights Movementsthe group andFreedom theformer communist State Security –related party, which represents the Turkish minoritythe in parliament 20 7 in previousthe CEU eTD Collection 8 continues to be subject to the implications from non-regulation of market. of the non-regulation from implications tothe tobe subject continues and and in unsuccessful wasill-performed in journalism sphereof Bulgaria, the democratization Muchworse, regime. of totalitarian the collapse reform, the marketachieved after aquality not has environment the that suggests This outlets. the of diversification than rather concentration, to leading increasingly massmedia are processesin Bulgarian the that conclude We canconfidently or via the owners who have their own interest to inform in favor of the governors” (Ibid.). and either government.the Thisare dependenton radio occurs through ownershipthe structures private television state, “the whole with press, continues analysis Welle,2011).The (Deutsche “Primemobilized Borisov Minister big partofNew a againstBulgarian Media Group Kuneva” her against anti-campaign systematic a leading of Group Media Bulgarian New by owned media, the accused later Kuneva start. the from position the for runners only) the not (if main the as television the by presented Kalfin,Ivaylofrom were his andBSP, from run-off Rosen Plevneliev, GERB, candidate elected equal chances to win like the candidates from GERB and BSP. Nevertheless,had the eventually she campaign the of beginning in the that matter no TV7, on debates the of one to invited even not Meglena forPresident, was Kuneva, candidate Independent candidates. independent Shealso referred to headlines on their front pages, which were attacking her. 8 . Observing Friedrich Foundation’s more Naumann was even direct: 21 CEU eTD Collection ownership issues,ownership thismay approach be andfar innovative moreillustrative. media on research academic existing the to Compared media. in issues ownership of implication insideoutline editorial is the –to of different organizations. research this purpose The already publicly expressed in and articlesreports by predominantly nongovernmental is their freedom of biascould this opinion speech. However, theexcessively. research Moreover, for activists or experts, analysts, to interview choose would scholars Some journalists. average method seeks tooutline the immediate inside of effect ownership issues of on routine the the The influence ontheir work. presenceof indicate is the to inBulgaria mass media from different fromtaken Bulgarian journalists. Themain goal interviewingof journalists in a random selection interviews of analysis qualitative propose also I report, the of examination the to addition In media negative campaigns. such of as the significance tendencies, year’sprevious similar indexes. The provided analysis of for data allows the of the indication with research the from a comparative derive tendencies reported The outlets. news initems seven feature from based monitoring on 24249 reports, active 2011 Their annual 2007. report since quantitatively by analyzed Foundation the Democracy Media has organization (2012). The been of the outlets orientation the and dynamics ownership current towards the between relation The country. in the problem particular political the grasping for tools essential most the is of one owners the Mapping media. mass private organizations andI proposea descriptive and of qualitativein analysis ownershipenvironmentthe Bulgarian persons has been qualitatively Chapterand Methodology 3: 22 CEU eTD Collection geography, economics, then gradually entering in the media landscape and entering and inthemedia geography, ownership, then economics, gradually informationBulgaria’s (Zlatev 2006)features inhandbook history, about Vujovic (Ed.), comprehending example,without For the Zlatev’s contribution problems. to depthof the the Oneenvironment. canfind knowledge very complete the about local media issues,butstill media countries’ the information about of encyclopedic It features collections (2006). Media 2005/2006 Europe exampleresearch. A East is Handbook trend South for this the good usually go beyonddo not theinformation, which the reader may find byhim/herself some with Additionally, media reports on the ownershipissues provide descriptive with too analysis, which way out from the expiring actuality,but yet does not seem sufficient. is a which similar, remain will patterns general the that out points Petkovic issues. ownership each of examiner isto concern valid avery that something 2004), (Petkovic, of publication” at thetime date “will beout-of inevitably at end, reports is the the that market sodynamic media the that she notes preface, Inthe totheproblem. approach in academic deficitthe notable very majoritythe in pattern ofis the This etc. thestructures, ownership analysesprivatization, legislation, on narrowly about media ownership 2004)in (Ed.), Europefocuses Media Independence andPluralism” (in Petkovic Eastern in general. Moreover,example, Velislava Popova’s contribution Petkovicto the collection “Media Ownership and its Impact on emphasizes mappingon ownership and providinginformation with general about environment. the For a feature significant relevance to the occurrences inside the media. Authors prefer to focus more The mostliterature, concerning popular and ownershipissues media media concentration do Methodology onthe 3.1. Literature 23 CEU eTD Collection is more than an economic matter; it also has clear implications for media content, politics, and politics, content, media for implications clear has also it matter; economic an than more is system media commercial global the of dominance to rise “The as: such expression, of freedom of indicators to references short notice often can we tendencies, and ideas these Throughout media democraticpromotes rule”servesa (Ibid). the system entire that and that population of many”the (p.5).His proposition in is context that “reducing social inequality and establishing rule “the democracy of notion classical the of context in the media contemporary occupy which processes, the discusses McChesney Also, etc. of power, imbalances the rich, the of privileges” suchas“the conceptual question ongoing asawhole. Heposes of in businesses the structure the rather but media, commercializing increasingly the inside profession journalism the of properties However,2). beingan seekstheansweregalitarian, McChesney totheproblemwithin not the democratic asignificant become have media “the that argues He on democracy. concentration of implication the more about but journalists, of expression of freedom about not statement Media Poor Democracyachieved predominantly in methodology the qualitativeof such works McChesney’sas Rich is speech (McChesney, andfreedom of mediaownership between focus the A narrower relationship on 2000). In issues,independenta common whichcomplement for picture mediathe environment. this case, and All limitedspeech. on separate of reflecting areconsidered freedom phenomena these the authornot is concentration ownership of issue – the other the and phenomenon one between connection is de facto makingdoes not go beyond a the issues finishing with research hatespeechand of very the Beingfreedom. ethics, descriptive, reported evidence of pressure on journalists. Also, there is no logical force in the United States and, to varying degrees, worldwide” (McChesney, 2000: (McChesney, varying and, degrees,worldwide” to States inforce United the 24 anti- CEU eTD Collection method, ismethod, hint designing aqualitative research,which how the technical pattern of would However, what I find essential for the building of the complete picture of ownership issues, freedom speech. of to media andlimitations improper ownership between relation exact as a the ofencompassing capable whoare few media analysts, Bakeris of the one words, In other And: inside editorial onjournalists,restrictions based on ownership status. presence of the whichindicate mainfindings, aretwo There corporate owners. the “against” letjournalists write supposed to arenot editors that as arule, notion suggestion comes from the assumption The freely. work to inability journalists’ the and concentration media of amount Here wecan by see Matters” relationship Baker(2007:40).between the Edwin a suggested “Internal Distortions” in the book “Media Concentration and Democracy. Why ownership in section the is media developed in concentrated newsmanipulation of A clearerconcept journalism. to imposing limits of mechanisms the understanding ideas,than the of conceptualization for the more appropriate they are However, issues. in of ownership context meets the freedomlimitations (McChesney, These that the 79). ideasindicate culture.” 2000: of expression creates internal incentives to trade journalistic integrity for the conglomerate’s other economic other interests (Baker,2007: 41). conglomerate’s the for integrity journalistic trade to incentives internal creates … Conglomerate ownership structurally creates economic vulnerability outside to pressure and 2007: 40) economic incentives alignwith media’sthe proper mandate to serve itspublic audience.(Baker, Conglomerate ownership automatically, structurally moves the firm away from an ideal of where its 25 CEU eTD Collection theories orstrategies.” (Ritchie, Spenser, 2002:309). ideas, new Developing implicit; or explicit explanations: Seeking etc.; motivations, behaviors, dynamics of phenomena; Creating typologies: categorizing different typesof attitudes, and nature range, Mapping the structures; internal understanding are: “definingconcepts: inviewof their point of qualitative data, analyzing goals (Ritchie,2002: 305).The end Spenser, isresearch nowusedtoexplore and adiversity understand social of issues…” and public policy Qualitative research. policy social applied for methods qualitative of use inthe growth notable a seen decades have last“The it: two andput Spenser asRitchie However, work. academic One never can beexplicit enough when explaining the of advantages interviewing for an media. mass private in Bulgarian journalists the with interviews proposes complete notionachievebe to in a cleared, order thatneed to andquestions journalists? These areall editors on the extentis of What role the intheprocess? ownersplay role dothe What ones? responsible are the Who and the specificity news? manipulate who ones technically Who it? arethe indicate which wecan through measure, of the problem.a there achieved?Is this of isall how However, 153). (Alger, 1998: etc. ignorance”, can “fuel This is “distort”, media” can “the “the press”, - Megamedia Alger’s in Dean As and journalists. editors why this researchbetween and rooms theeditorial inside what precisely occurs much pay to attention not too In general, media in are focus which issues,do the with occupied academicthe works, ownership in media. place take that processes the about superficially to anextent butin cases,we canbe informed detail, all In other the pressure. of ownership accomplishment 26 CEU eTD Collection achieved not from the point of view of the researcher, but the one of the subjects of analysis. of subjects the of one the but researcher, the of view of point the from not achieved it. within validity theanalysis, It suggests as asheputs the that perspective”, “the participants’ or interviewees, the of perspective the of embodiment the which 48), 2002: (Maxwell, validity interpretative theconceptof also presents validity. author The descriptive Maxwell as secondary directly (Ibid.)and was inferred from experienced data. what The latter isother being definedby researcher whatthe features itboth hiswords, validity. In has descriptive research qualitative Validity in Qualitative Research” Huberman (in and Miles(eds.),2002:45).Firstly, the and “Understanding work his in well very it conceptualized has Maxwell Joseph validity, for As Methodology ofthe 3.2. Validity topic. the on literature inbeen of range has present awide not from that issuethe a perspective approach rather produce amore in-depthnotbelieve than I have to country. thatwork theirs. theI Ido resource in the environment media the researched analysts other when place in been already have analysis content and analysis network both However, analysis. content self-conducted or analysis network because of the issue ofvalidity. Many would suggest the use of other methods for this work, like notneed mediaconflicting arguing would analysis, issuesin qualitative point, ownership that a be might there Still, analysis. qualitative such featured not has it if conducted, already the than nature and dynamics of thewouldinto probablyfit the concept of understandinginternal and mapping structures the range phenomena. In both cases,acquainted with of specificities the for ownership issues everyday the journalists.of work This the research would not get best way interviewingto Nevertheless, ofthis for isregardedasthe purposes the research, contribute more 27 CEU eTD Collection the two guarantors for the most open and sincere answers I could extract from Anonymity from them.extract answers Icould andsincere for most open the guarantors two the haveThe journalists remain thatI areto questioned Anonymity anonymous. and proximity are tothe Interviewees 3.3. Approach interviewees. evaluative. It features the point of view of the author, aligned with the evidence,and suggested by the descriptive predominantly is analysis qualitative the of validity the research, current of the context Inthe author. the of discretion the is itat since from others, the independent is relatively it Also, significant. least is that analysis qualitative the for notion a is this action whether As throwing andacorrect of the eraserwasjustifiable the Maxwell (55). argues, evaluate to is validity of researcher occupation – the the validity evaluative – the The last three. the between juxtaposition colorful very a with provides Maxwell Here (56). phenomenon” some of theory a as validity account’s an to “refers validity Theoretical (55). Validity Evaluative and (Ibid.) Validity Theoretical justifications two as (Maxwell,qualitative methods,arepresented last 50). The of 2002: pertain unconsciousto the beliefs, intentions, and concepts values these of participants…” validity “Interpretativeapply not the conscious it of concepts does only to participants; also can postulation of theoretical relationships among these constructs”. the connection of this toother aspects of the the participants, school or the community constitutes the postulation of a theoretical construct to the descriptive and interpretative understanding of the action; relationships in U.S. society. The identification of the throwing as “resistance” constitutes the this act to the repressive behavioror valuesof the teacher, the social structure of the school, and class “For example, one could label the student’s throwing of the eraser asan act of resistance, and connect 28 CEU eTD Collection undermine certain political actors and would more intensively cover others. The last two The others. cover intensively more and would actors political undermine certain The next assumptionmedia, is that which isaffected by ownership would irregularities, harm. for the sakeof of beinvestigation would patterns there Therefore, competition. of a are part becausethey actors, concrete of investigation media seek the would the that – myassumption for valid third is same The ownership. duetotheir interest, of intense conflict to are subject media for that true be exceptionally to are assumed Both parties. abovementioned the concerning issues, investigate to attempt who journalists restrict editors isthat second The persons. or companies parties, political issues, bias towards journalists’ tolerate editors isthat problem first The media. free in apartly meet would room editorial an that problems The rationale behind the design of lies questions the ona conceptualization potential the of replies. of the based onsimilarity tendencies, finding allows thequestions of Thestandardization expectations. allowfurtherinformation for to beintroduced during the research is of – some which over the research. The first isstandardized. that I am seeking I believe freedom addresses, which is impedimentto theiradditional an openness. The aresemi-that questions in inthis the way answers I achieve of this way.twoAlso, the I have been worriedmain that theirjournalists. availability online results,was through their work email which This in give information feel morepersonal away predisposedto would because Ibelievethatthey are valuablewould for thiswith contact direct them.ask my Ihavepreferredto with rather inperson questions a recorder, than sent via email, the in represented is Proximity employment. their affect not will it popular, is promised for the sake of complete security that even if this research becomes public and 29 CEU eTD Collection attitudes to journalists. In themajority of the cases editors are considered contributive to outside and their with politicians associated arepredominantly indicated I have that factors outside implications possiblepressure, whichtriggers bigger tothe even areaof The performance. their The subsequent set of assumptions is based on the notion thatjournalists are subject to additional is a limitation to the freedom of expression journalists.of is fourthto the assumption big there insidethat very which insecurity newspaperand TVrooms, leads This media. recent in the journalists many of dismissal the for calls this Naturally, media. in expenses the optimization of led tothe have crisis, merely theeconomic or media mergers that is assumption second The journalist. average an for liberty relative and action of space professional self-confidence journalistsof isBulgarian intentionally suppressed. This limits the notionthe common leads tothe that This sides. assumption byother expenses covered journalist if they are average the of survival for the not insufficient be to areassumed low. They are receive journalists combining the two that salaries the isthat orthem among morefirst The media. in different jobsissues employment at the same time or if formal the from they coming pressure to closer isrelated assumptions of segment The next do not have with supervision. immediate their of interviewees the interaction the with exclusively deals section above the Therefore media. the of owners the and journalists linkagebetween be direct the to massare considered in Theeditors media different and reporters. between editors therelationship exclusively issues areconcerning The abovementioned conflicts. certain frequentlysponsorship called journalism some pieceswouldbe due to andthat off viaundercover events of coverage positive the tolerate would media the that are assumptions 30 CEU eTD Collection assumptions thatIhaveassumptions addressed in that Iwill questions the present. further or tempt threaten mayalso They asunderdogs. reporters the treat or harass they Sometimes journalistsreporters. on down andlook orotherintervieweesareaggressive Politicians politicians stories. the onspecific for In most may of by theby cases,this the be evident having frequentcalls expressed discontent and accomplishment story coverage. or certain publications restrict spaceto havethe politicians arewhether concern of points The politicians. the binds with have particular owners the in caseswhen again present of theirpressure ownon journalists, interest. because they are responsiveAll ofto the thedemands ofabove the politicians. are This is 31 CEU eTD Collection the media become “something like campaign ‘broadcast channels” (Ibid.). channels” like‘broadcast campaign media “something the become Instead, accountability. for consumers’ possibility the excludes automatically conjunction, which a established have in Bulgaria media mass the of owners the and parties political the that infer may 2012:12).From we easily this observation, Report, Democracy inMedia Foundation the (Lozanov elections)” Bulgarian in issue big a been has (which buying vote to similar essentially is which apractice, parties, in for by the political was paid media election the campaign commercial, but yet notallowed officially commercial ispractice still widespread,since arelegal no there provisions for advertising. political This for base. “Thedifferent resultthis that commented Media, forElectronic Council local of the is Chair the who Lozanov, is that almost the entirecampaigning before elections in (Lozanov Foundation Media 2012:12).Report, Democracy media 2011 toyearis past political for the paid report MediaDemocracy in indicated Foundation been the depreciatepolitical individuals particularOneof have of or attitude problemsthe thatthe towards parties. development in the patterns indicate may analysis content theA thorough media. mass in the content value isof Onewaytoachieve through irregularities andfreedom speech. this examination the the of of political ownership between systemize theconnection needto analysts of tendency, pattern this debatesignificantinfluenceis environmentthe onopinion subject narrow to Tooutlinediversity. the that suggest years the over media mass private in Bulgarian to ownership in the developments The a completely4.1 Newspaper Content Analysis Chapter 4:Implications Freedom for of Speech 32 CEU eTD Collection political formations" (Ibid). For bigger clarity, unlike the United States, Bulgaria a features States, unlike For bigger clarity, United the formations" political (Ibid). lessnewer, traditional or of“smaller, for appearance the opportunity democracy is limited the media in 31).achieved “certain 2012: (Spasov FMDReport: Theimplication parity” to Socialist Party, is which its main inrival opposition). In Spasov’s the words, partiestwo have Bulgarian andin BSP(The party (the between power) GERB as amedia cartel coverage I interpret alsosuggests somethingindividual, biasTo addtothe that report particular tothe the questions on availabilitythe of pluralism in the context of localthe media environment. specific political figure, a around attention The concentration of (Ibid.). imbalances” serious basedon media pluralism which happens to be the iscompetition now even bigger and “in2011in the press therewas Bulgarian Primeformal a limited, Ministerhis to terms relative on based Minister of Prime the of the exclusivity the fact, In country,attention. media poses serious inPrime Minister, 2010,“the with iscomparison trend” still in direction the of theirexclusive the and power in party the towards in positivity reduction slight a finds report the Although andon party. figure one political media one on attention of concentration for aworrisome itmainly isanindication What does freedom speech. of breach of to explicitly aparticular not pattern suggest does report’s 2012: 24).Infact,observation the Report, “Attitude towardsPoliticians and Institutions in in inFMD Bulgarian the Press 2011” (Spasov 2011 reportis Freedom, 2011”.Themonitoring entitledMore Conflicts: “Less the tracks nationalannual MediaFoundation of newspapers. The Indexonseven Democracy’s daily report A very implicationson the observation tofreedom thorough speech maybe of from inferred the the figurethe of Prime Boyko Minister Borisov (Spasovin FMD2012: Report, 30). other key institutions, media approval is concentrating morein in and parties in parliament, or confidence less media of crisis large-scale of inthecontext inFirst, a single direction: on 33 CEU eTD Collection the country. the country.the This ismotivationalanalysis furtherfor examination of mediathe environmentin in field the characterize that “trends” as described are all journalists, on pressure the and parties, political exclusive two between of coverage consolidation media attention, of Concentration corrupted. isoverall establishis aguideline, which thatowners wecan effectassume achieved, this pattern particular in what be concluded cannot it content, media analyzed the from Although Foundation influence DemocracyMedia ofjournalists. suggestssignificant work onthe Bulgarian aspresented in for media comparative environment, 2010and2011from report the in 2012:31).and (Spasov dependencies economic FMD Report, from on political butpressure from rather managementof the media, which areindependent the much is outside notin dueso the bureaucrats, thanfactors, free professionals. This, hiswords, to The last conclusion, proposed by Spasov, is that Bulgarian journalists work more like to the opinion that Bulgarian media can easily be set to a common agenda. remaining inpolitics the after presidential Thisfindingelections. naturally andassumption leads forby her herin triggered result the“massive declaration campaign media”(Ibid), against of is isa 2012:30).Spasov’s this inReport: that assumption more FMD the(Spasov positive than times 7.5 were awhole they December, By ones. positive the as as many twice about her were negativeby the items positivetowards image, herprevious October Meglena Kuneva.Despite for Presidential of in2011– candidate thirdthe elections positivity drastictowards popular drop smaller political parties (Tzenova, 2004: 144). The biggest implication of this phenomenon is the proportional besystem, iselectoral favorable to more which supposed the representationto of 34 CEU eTD Collection categories and questions, which in which can be found Annex. andthe questions, categories in particular set of questions, which were systemized according towider topics. These I define as interested I was earlier, AsIhave explained mid-thirties. and ageof the early twenties between male andfemale and both are andtime allowed.is scope They aswidethe ethical purposes, format was semi standardized. The profile of the journalists, who are to remain anonymous for The andemployers. editors their from secrecy complete required questions the of specificity independentand safe andwere bothby determined me since andby respondents, the the which job secondwas the location andat participant, the of two theirhomes. Thelocations were nightclub, one ina totheir workplaces, close ininterviews parks Therewerethree participants. the for in which were comfortable locations were conducted interviews The their answers. depth the of andseconds,minutes and on 55 depending 9minutes 18secondsandbetween 37 length was Their journalists. facewith andface interviews to six fully recorded I conducted Journalists with 4.2. Interviews here.discussed with anonymous journalists,journalists. Therefore, the subsequent section offers qualitative research in the form of interviews who indicate morethis researchfocuses thoroughly defactoon the patterns influenceof on local the the presence analysis,network whichcould map media interdependencies inclearly ownership.the However, of the factors, whichmay enhance we have the alreadyproposedFor the purposes of completingresearch the work on the contemporary media problems in Bulgaria,with one content analysis of television and radio and possibly 35 CEU eTD Collection Boyko Borisov,(referring to for Boyko quality keep best the very to are careful editors) the “They to (referring current been Prime becauseitan ideawas against saidin X. removed, of the He added: reporter party power,” has stories my of “One Minister) content. produced remove explanation without often and materials in the and GERB This influences inagendajournalists, directly employed work of interferethe media.Editors the (The party in power, abbreviated from journalist B went further: phenomenon, a logical seem might While this media.” in Bulgarian neglected are lesser weight formulated this but media.excludedA: their position,“In own Journalist general with parties journalists the of Two owners. media’s the of behavior opportunistic with explicable is tendency outlets. There is an apparentthat is worth bias pointingin some of issue on them. first isfor The This pressure an in anindication existing project. the participate theout waseditions the presence to the ruling halfremain I attempted werenotwilling contact anonymous, about peoplethe that of to to of a particular party, and undercoverpart issuesof this I haveagenda the raisedon comment to willing not were media inin mass private frontthe Bulgarian from journalists ofdifferentthe of Some them. Despite the fact that I haveConducting irregularities interviews on topicthe of can bechallengingownership inBulgaria. assured them that they would a) EditorsandJournalists 4.2. B. Analysis 4.2. B.Interviews not have these events in your news, your news is not up to date. covered wherever heis.is This politics of the media is putforward and in such away if that you do The Minister of Interior,the goeswithPresidentto abusiness Greekbusiness breakfast media people, all the are again there. who is for an unknownoffice,meaning whatever Prime the does,he goesMinister meet to someone; all mediathe are there, reason a very Nevertheless,powerful is there atendency inBulgaria absolutely always tocoverevents related to the in party figure in Bulgaria, is again 36 CEU eTD Collection feltfunny and itlooks a bit like a kid’s game, a bit funny.” even it and have, they goals what whom, hates who censorship, whole the understood I month in first – the “When I started Zconfirmed:not. tosay and what are supposed they realize what to start they Consequently, work. their of beginning in the have they limitations and requirements grasp the to experience difficulties reporters interviewed many cases, the In particular agenda. a of achievement the for news the of manipulation intense indicate they that is important another. Bias is not an easily avoidable phenomenon in media worldwide. What is more notonly showabig abovementioned instances mediaoneperson bias in towards or Bulgarian The government. current the of criticism recorded out cut not he did because fired, almost Hewas welcomein thetelevision”. are not people who “there are that confirmed His colleague unofficial rule.”Xadded following:the “Wearewarneddisturbing: we would that if befired showhisfacewe ina story. This an Kostov”very Also (Bulgarian more And are Ivan often PM 1997-2001). even they against Parvanov. former president against the X:“We specifically together. madestories aiming have in wingnewspaper.right furtherwork gothe Even confessions of X andZ,who one television a for works who H, says “bad,” as someone of outage the for drive is a there in which moments “Thereare toothers. attitude innegative results automatically organization particular political a Favoring party. ruling the about a story air to have they when something confuse to not scared montage expert in the samemany television. times. He implies There come of moreoften Editors and check things Bulgaria). European Development the for Citizens that theis editorsa horrible are feeling panictoo nervous when and the story is about Boyko,” claims Z, who is a context in order to fulfill what the boss wanted to hear. to wanted boss the what fulfill to its order in of out context put was interview the sure For politics. from resign to needs Kostov Ivan that sentence one hear to expected he which in boss, the by ordered was that interview an made recently have We 37 CEU eTD Collection corporate financing for the execution of the so-called “undercover PR” or “undercover or PR” “undercover so-called the of execution for financing the corporate undercover paidmessages inhisworkplace.of The rest them instances both gave politicalof and are there that confirm not did sample whole the of out journalist one Only disturbing. more seem to be more or less universally logical, some Bulgarian media perform an action thatis even may affiliates corporate or protectpolitical theirmedia own to for different tendency While the Prokopiev: by is controlled that one the and media in other information comment byone of journaliststhe in mediahis suggests a disturbing discrepancy between the mining Kaolin, company has which criticism beensubject to recently bymany A organizations. isthe them Among website). Prokopiev (See enterprises other numerous of owner is also who A issimilar situation suggested by an employee of Economedia,by co-owned Prokopiev, Ivo part of the Eastern Bulgarian holding TIM. As a journalist from this media put it: big value toBulgarian economy. Anexample of thisis the TV channel Bulgaria onAir, which is States, several news outlets officially or semi-officially belong company to conglomerates with a in than in United lessthe is Bulgaria, element significant much corporate factthatthe the Despite is ofcontemporary ownership inmediatendencies oneof ownership. aspects most the criticized interest. Naturally, corporate andcorporate of ownership specificities outlets’ the on the based interests, political combine which media, in Bulgarian employees the for harder iseven It the opposite. the cyanide in the water led increasedto leukemia,etc. Naturally, the story in the newspaper was exactly In all the of rest the media there ishow news Kaolin is polluting [thenearby] village,how […] isthere a problem,itis solved inside the holding. is openly stated, you have to be riverinsane shipping,against institutionthese youmake They cannot reports. This are “ourpeople”. to go and make a report againstIn this holding there is a bank,airline company, industry, pharmaceutics maritime shipping, the banks. I mean, if 38 CEU eTD Collection payment ispayment televisionleva channel the that forreceives 40,000 amonth 20stories, connected Environment andand Water the Ministry of Agriculture. His the theory mechanismon of television another from respondent another by received was Agriculture the of Ministry the with deals channel.Askedit. ministries which suchdeals, “All A offer Bresponded them”. forconfirmation of the X for paying attitude, becausethey were show better he that hasnote to made PRofficer him a the personallywith this mechanism was when he was told to cover a story in the Ministry of Agriculture. There, coveredconfirmed,labeled stories arenot these The as paid reports. first time whenB acquainted was stories,a positive to dedicated story in news. the ashe Of mediacourse, andhis in colleagues other is500 leva, worth it butis soldfor 1500”.In this way, tohim, according rest the of which moneythe is were –aminuteminute and ahalf,be has aired which to in advertthe block of newsthe and slot this “paid”works in viaby official, the ministrieshe channel wouldthat television the harmtheirimage”.Hesuggeststhatthe pay that but overpricedMinistry advertisementyouhave becausethere “paid”,itheis[…] doanythingmeaning donot to knowsthat theright deals.of “For casesthe whenyou interviews go to take from yousomeone, whois goservice, occupying public example, you have Theya alsoslot suggest in what way forexactly the ministriesa pay for coverage. B claims that “In 90% of basis. aregular on stories such of making in the institutions. The journalists, working for these media were willing to tell how they were involved media Themanagersin ministries. money for aboutthe accept carefullystories the designed two separate media involves the execution contractsof for positive coverage of events, related to journalistsfrom particularbeen suggestedby thathas Thescheme institutions. two government’s by advertising”.messaging striking undercoverpolitical exampleof most The isexecuted the 39 CEU eTD Collection for money. for this research. Bconfirmedhis that television toplaceagreed in aproduct newsinthe exchange in interviewee one by only confirmed been has it that out point should I Nevertheless, well. as marketplayers surprisingly, for of is present particularNot coverage about one player. purchase supposed totwist newsbalance the the consumers, and end who upsoakedwith information paying political aremanipulative.parties, They manipulate both journalists,the are who the intensively more cover letthemselves media, which the Therefore, newsmaking. political on how know complete possessthe required to supposed or are not who consumers, news discretionThe is bias presentedandits the information ofthe left obviously objectivity of the to phenomenon: the justifies and defends even She practice”. common “a is parties particular for coverage extensive that indicated a radio station, to belonging website, cases, they do notin some Asseems, it media coverage. of the share largest the demand and more active become achieve it merelyisThere more another, classical type of political messaging.paid parties During elections, with allowed tools. Journalist J, who writes for a news funds“popularized”, European mostreferred to the as aswell:the B that fact the also but channels, two inthe ministry same the of presence the only not is moment The curious Environment”. Program of “for popularization Operational with the example,the paid story. paid if oneparty is covered more anotherthan intelligent listener an or reader understand can itisa that It is officially notwritten that it is apaid story; the thing is that someone needs to figure itout alone; whatever it has. shoot how givethey one form, onwhich isit written “check for 5000leva”, for example, or50000, you shoothow give they moneythis and consequently noone follows if they really youreached, just B: contracts, whichThere are say “yougo and shoot”,they differentpromote European programs and 40 CEU eTD Collection right to air a story. Although the editors may argue that the materials have not featured the not have materials the that may argue Although air editors the to a story. right even the argueabout journalists cannot inwhich isexample aired.”an This not The material was country. the harm would this that stated “firmly economist the words, his In government. the by Journalist Xconducted an interview with an expert who criticized a particular measure, proposed is an example of editorial verbal suppression: verbal pressure changeto something, orwith adirect removal of the stories. Thefollowing quote in is is with The either which this executed way with interfered censorship. journalists areoften investigation, practices decreased and from corrupted aspressure aswell powers, andeconomic isinterestfrom materials.political that there conflictwith of ownership Judgingassumption the journalist, it is most natural to assume that there is a very intense editorial control on their anymore”.When we recollect all the present problems that affect the job of an average Bulgarian do this to journalist no is “there because happened, media her in section investigative the usually investigative receive, is reporting a highlyundesirable job. InJ’s opinion of closure the journalists,by for they that investigations. low since the Thisisalsowelcome payment the payforlobbyfreedom with moreit isof mediaexpression, to trade convenient to their than or mass local of owners the for that seems It journalism. investigative diminishing from comes A confirmation the tendency increasing servility to underground massmedia of Bulgarian of the happened. Interior). The editor of newsroom the came and measked why. From then on, Idonot know what compared to onesthe of Borisov (current Prime Minister) andTzvetanov (current Minister of B: I have criticizedbeen for thefactthat atalk Stanishevfrom (ex-Prime wasMinister) cutlonger, now or later? blurred, but[atthe end] they were not. […]Theywere walking mearound and asking “do we pay went after thembusiness television, welaunch a new business and we want you to shoot they said how much. And we on the streets B: were There dudes,who some electronicpromoted cigarettes. They came […]and said youa are when they gave away electronic cigarettes and the logos had to be 41 CEU eTD Collection EUR amonth,havingwork for almost 12hours while to journalists, For every two other day. the an InX’s option. beopinion paymentneedsthe doubled,to sincehe nowreceives less than 500 not is simultaneously places two at journalist a as working employees, the of some for However, he themedia,” between adds. interest of conflict in not are you if only […] site the to it send and it rewrite can you event one cover you when possibilitythe outlined He job. fora second find to have working children, have who those especially professionals, for two media at the same time: “you can also work for a website and the 22 the 15 the on be transferred needto they says contract delayed. The often are salaries “The that confirms B significantly. diminishes duties professional their accomplish to motivation the Therefore, aredemeaning. tasks tothe and approach to them the attitude lowproblem. the biggest as their the In arenot salaries opinion, are, the added that they do not receive enough money,journalists average the that my Ihavejustified expectation ofmedia employees. owners put their from thein which answersconditions working the is research in my indicated have I of that evidence of almost set next The all responders. Some of them evenb) OwnersandJournalists 4.2. B. rest of the cases, the journalists suspect apolitical or corporate bias. the In attitude. personal much too put had he that excuse the with removed been has story A’s journalist For example, quality. becauseof removed, the his coveragewas that acknowledged when journaliststhe find a political Only reasoning. journalist one my from interviewee sample case the often more is it justification, legitimate other provide may they or qualities, necessary nd are rarely transferred. The money is not enough.” In his opinion, most of the of most opinion, his In enough.” not is money The transferred. rarely are 42 th each month, but salaries before salaries but month, each CEU eTD Collection story, there would be printingI expected after that theairing a or journalistsmedia directly. the politicians to the or frequent calls or emails forfrequent accountability of wasnotmuchDespite myexpectation,evidence for there attempts to the offices of the media,c) OutsidePressureonJournalists 4.2. B. expressing protests. forcing work them in to unfavorable conditions, evenfor localthe low standards. by their employees media disrespect in owners Bulgarian mightbe that inferred it Therefore, Journalists, 2001). Protect asfarin (Committee to literature backindicated year2000 asthe has been that thisisaproblem Nevertheless, experiences. sector the challenges financial the and crisis economic in the be may low so salaries employees’ their keeping for owners the not get a sense of satisfaction, the whole environment would be unhealthy. The only excuse for their qualities,” in her words. It is natural assumeto that if the sector is filled with people who do feel secure there. Nevertheless, “over 20 people have quit”, because “their pay did notrespond to who claimed that the media is too large sphere of journalism,to is paid”. which better Asense of feltstability was close. inonly wordsof the J, So despite the low salaries, pressure fornothing,”journalistshe confirms. A Journalist already becausehe“foundquit, ajob the outside at least forall. in he goaway. feelingmuch at works “Everyone hasthe future the is too to There Z “does see” not future. television the channel forthe “extremely pessimistic” his colleagues are for.journalistscase,both future theirin Hand future anddoubt of mediathey the own work the consequent crisis) tothe you will definitely very get insecurity bigfor thefuture. In commonthe When you themassive addthis to alljournalists layoffs (which acknowledged for theirmedia to help” her andjournalistH still lives with his parents. ispay but aproblem, not because only they receive Journalist outsidestimulus. Jhas“someone 43 CEU eTD Collection covering yourcovering insurance at250leva, you1200,” A although get explained. ask the Minister you “When expenses]. employers’ isillegal minimizes and media[which inBulgarian practice why a common is is insurance health minimal the he Covering wage?” aminimal on doingemployer] their [by oneinsured are they that know they if thing Policy Social and Labor of Minister the push and go journalist or another, whichhe journalists themselves are.would JournalistA gives the example with their salaries: “how can a ask “whyis tobe figure in presented supposed The other reason a positive light. is situation the in poor your mediapoliticians. is Oneof in front be persistent to self-confidence of professional enough possess not do thejournalists reasons for this is anything rushed,which could “harmtheir very The dignity”. third isnoticeable factor thethat frequency of “paid”by journalist Bas politiciansthe “impunity”.in Thesecond, his is words their“fear” not to say stories, in which apparently demeaning. Thissituation is for explicable threedifferentfactors. The firstthe is depicted public is power, executive the of particularly of representatives attitude, Theoverall badly. journalists treat in opposition, or in office being politicians, that complaints more way are there However, Jresponded: coverage” way. in question “werefrom the To have cases expressed there politicians discontent which in orthreateneda singleby tempted have any not Also been outsiders journalist to confirmed not quoted them right, or that he has not been interpreted right. interpreted been not he has that or right, them quoted not comprehended been in a differentway have and attempt to themselves,they correct by accusing mediathe that thatithas realize they said, have they what read then and something said have politicians when times many this, to add To right. them quoted not have we that claim the with Yes, 44 CEU eTD Collection to play with around political lobbying andand corporate servility mostto the powerful outsiders. independence on their via employees insidepatterns of suppression. This position, allows owners limited very impose They owners. media’s the from is coming experience journalists may biggestpressurethat the I that conclude of editorial pressure. reaffirms the significance interviewees. Thisdiminishes theof possibility butalsoadditional pressure onjournalists’ work, factors, it seems that politicians and outside circles do not have much of a direct contactpayment, insecurity therhetoricand dominate conflicts intheiranswers.Asfor outside the with the elementimportantis in theworrisome environment which work.Low they are supposedto myfirst found whichsuggests very subsetquestions, other editorial inthe suppression. of The significant restrictions to the proper execution of their job. The most striking problems were the presence indicated of Interviewees I foundmy well-based. of themajority assumptions 4.2. oftheAnalysis C. Summary 45 CEU eTD Collection journalistsinterviews, in confirmed expressedby analysis.the theassumptions, Their experts the Six local journalists. of work the on restrictions andeconomic political are there that indicate BSP, which automatically new challenges in political country.the findingsplayers also The party in power GERB. Furthermore, they form a ‘coverage cartel” with the main opposition party and the Minister Prime the of agenda the on exclusively focus newspapers Bulgarian coverage. Foundation Media Democracy, hashelpedtooutline the presenttendencies incorrupted the by conducted dailies, print seven on conducted analysis content the to reference A government. tothe affiliated which areconsidered newspapers, and television, radio concentrates Media and Group now,market, when New Bulgarian print of the an exclusive portion of history Westdeutsche transition AllgemeineZeitung –whenthegroup Bulgarian of occupied in the times two noticeable been in fact, has, Concentration ownership. media of concentration coverboth up source of This investmentof preconditions necessary all for andprofit. easy offers the allows legislation The current becorrupted). to continues (and start the from corrupted been analysis has indicated the that way,which through ownership developed in media,Bulgarian has iswere notdisappointingall.media from descriptive Theresults study the The at deepening. criticisms,other has led the ownership assumption that to the mass in problem private Bulgarian from The itwork. year.This, mainquestion alongdrastically with was why previous the drops without Borders country’s 80 The EU. of the countries level in basic partner the the to compared hasas outstanding, problem the outlined intensivecriticism nongovernmental More In contextthe of growing issuesof media Bulgaria suffers ownership, from many its of aspects. Chapter Conclusion 5: ranking is not the only concern that has triggered the accomplishment of this 46 th position in Reporters CEU eTD Collection Bulgarian media Bulgarian is a natural of result irregularities. ownership from the management of the media. More narrowly, the issue of limited freedom of expression in me toconfirm mystronger even majorityassumption the that journalismthe of issues derive bribe allowed them. attempted to This or has threatened anyone that has confirmed participants relationship politiciansinstitutions between and or thejournalists. hand,none On of other the the the about discontent expressed an was there hand, one the On mixed. are results the that say layoffs,Aswecan the lowin salaries, outside for the and the workplace. the insecurity factors, the through been indicated have managerial basis. The problems a on regular tendencies occur thatthese confirmed big majority interviewees the A of stories. “dangerous” potentially particularof cancelation and to persons, friendly/unfriendly attitudes freedom of expression, pressure exists. Editorial guidance hasbeen subcategorized in bias parties, towards restriction on the guidanceworkingconditions inside content, the on mediaaredemeaning,andoutside the is there editorial heavy main three arguments: on very been explicit of have as a this study, part 47 CEU eTD Collection Interview data and coding data Interview Annex Journalists Journalists Categories journalists C. Outside B. Owners B. A. Editors pressure and and on 4. Parties temptjournalists 4. Parties threatenjournalists 3. Parties 2. Politicians are aggressive to journalists have reported for whatthey holdjournalists accountable 1. Parties media of the forthefuture and the jobs for 3. Thereisbiginsecurity layoffs and cuts insignificant resulted 2. Thecrisis insufficient are 1. Salaries outside feedback for of worries call off stories, because 5. Editors "ordered" by the sources 4. Editors push journalists to cover stories, which are (friendly and unfriendly) parties ontheattitudetodifferent dictate 3. Editors 2. Editors restrict journalists in their reporting freedom 1. Editors tolerate bias to different parties Interview Data Issues 48 CEU eTD Collection A3 A2 A1 boss. We are warned that we would be fired if we show his face in a story. This an unofficialthey are againstrule. Ivan Kostov (Bulgarian PM 1997-2001), because he is a personal enemyWe have madeto the stories aiming specifically against the former president Parvanov. Also very often "There aremoments in whi exactly the opposite." cyanide in the water led to increased leukemia, etc. Naturally, the story in the newspaper was "In all the rest of the media there is news how Kaolin is polluting [the nearby] village, how […[ problem, it is solved inside the holding." stated, you have to be insane to go and make a report against the banks. I mean, if thereshipping, is a against these institution you cannot make reports. They are “our people”. This is openly"In this holding there is abank, airline company, pharmaceutics industry come and check things many times. There is a horrible panic when the story is about Boyko." "They are very careful the things to keep the best quality for Boyko and GERB. More often editors you do not have these events in your news, your news is not up to date. again covered wherever he is. This is politics of the media and is put forward in such there.a way Thethat Minister if of interior, who is for an unknown reason a very powerful figurethere, in the PresidentBulgaria goes is to a business breakfast with the Greek business, all the media are again in office, meaning whatever the Prime Minister does, he goes to meet someone, Nevertheless,all the theremedia is a tendencyre in Bulgaria absolutely always to cove "In general parties with lesser weight are neglected in Bulgarian media" they have, and it even felt funny and it looks a bit like a kid’s game, a bit funny.When I started in the first month Iunderstood the whole censorship, who hates whom, what goals television. inthe welcome not are who people, are There its context in order to be fulfilled what the boss wanted to hear. one sentence that Ivan Kostov needs toresign from politics. For sure the interview was put out of We have recently made an interview that was ordered by the boss, in which he expected to hear Interview Coding Sheet, Category A(Editorial Suppression on Journalists) ch there is adrive for the outage of someone as “bad” 49 r events related to the party , maritime shipping, river CEU eTD Collection A5 A4 who firmly stated that this would seriously harm the country. The material was not aired." government was initially planning to sign this part as well. I made an interview with an economist, treaty for fiscal stability, there was one chapter, which was concerning tax synchronization. The specific example is about the fiscal agreement, which was signed by the Ministers of"One theof my EU, storiesthe has been removed, because it was against an idea of the party in happened."power. The Interior). The editor of the newsroom came and asked me why. From then on, I do not knowcompared what to the ones of Borisov (current Prime Minister) and Tzvetanov (current Minister"I have been criticizedof for the fact that a talk from Stanishev (ex for example, the popularization of Operational Program Environment" Environment and Water, Ministry of Agriculture, I have personally covered such stories. to some events with the only goal to make a paid story. This is present in the Ministry "Manyof times. We have “advertisement” campaigns, which are “ordered” by ministries. Weunderstand go that it isapaid story." out alone; if one party is covered more than another an intelligent listener or reader can practice. It is officially not written that it is a paid story; the thing is that someone needs to figure it "It happened only during election campaigns, when parties pay for coverage, which is acommon advert block of the news and this slot is worth 500 leva, but it is sold for 1500." "For example, you have a slot for a minute – a minute and a half, which has to bedo anything aired thatin wouldthe harm their image." service, you go there because it is “paid”, meaning he knows that you do not have the right"In 90% to of[…] the cases when you go to take interviews from someone, who is occupyingpay nowpublic or later?” be blurred, but [at the end] they were not. […] They were walking around me and asking “do we we went after them on the streets when they gave away electronic cigarettes and the logos had to a are you business television, […] we said launch and a new came business andThey we want you to shootthey cigarettes. said how much. And electronic promoted who dudes, some were "There for5000 example, for leva”, “check or 50000,whateverit has." no one follows ifthey really reached, you just shoot how they give one form, on which itis written and you shoot how they give this money and consequently "There are contracts, which say “you go and shoot”, they promote different European programs and they covered it. Some of these reports were purely promotional." – Ido not know what they were giver for that, but they just sent the cameraman and the reporter "In that media there has been a lot of events like business presentations, which had to be covered 50 - Prime Minister) was cut longer, CEU eTD Collection B3 B2 B1 because I have someone to help me." what a person should get for the job they do, but I do not need to work something else,"I do not think that the salary is realistic [for the efforts]. It is honestly much less than enough." only if you are not in conflict of interest between the media. Yes, working one job is not a website and when you cover one event you can rewrite it and send it to the site […] because when you are a journalist you can work in a television and you can also work for enough." "You have to work something else, you can choose what it needs to be, 15th each month, but salaries before the 22nd are rarely transferred. The money"The salaries areare often notdelayed. Thecontract says they need to be transferred until the “and why is your media covering your insurance at 250 leva, although you get 1200?"media. When you ask the Minister why is he doing one thing oranother, he would ask illegal and minimizes employers’ expenses]. According to him it is present in 98% of the Covering the minimal health insurance is a common practice in Bulgarian media [which is Policy if they know that they are insured [by their employer] on the minimal wage? There anotheris thing, how can a journalist go and push the Minister ofLabor and Social "I quit because I found a job outside the sphere ofjournalism, which was better paid."people." of the expenses everyday the meet hardly they but "People there feel relevantly calm – they are not held captive of the demon of order to getlayingenough money”. off, whatis he says inresponse to the question “have you needed to work a second job in "Naturally, journalism in Bulgaria needs to be more like a hobby than a profession – this meabout 1000 owe leva EUR)." (500 the salaries with a few months. I have been employed in one media from which they still "There are many media in the private sector who not only too muchtoo pressure for nothing." "I do not see this television in the future. Everyone has the feeling to go away. There or iswe do not see ourselves there." "Extremely pessimistic. We look to the future and we do not see the newspaper there, lied with the money. They treat you like a stray dog, not like a journalist." "The major problem with that television was that people were really demotivated. They attitude to them, which is really horrible and second because salaries are delayed. " "Our television was famous for the fact that too many people quit, first because of the their qualities." "In the last three years over 20 people have quit. I think their pay did not respond to Interview Coding Sheet, Category B (Owners - Journalists Issues) -Journalists B (Owners Category Sheet, Coding Interview 51 pay low butalsodelay money, CEU eTD Collection C4 C3 C2 C1 because they also depend on someone. anything that you could twist in a different way and respectively to harm their dignity, arrogant because they think they are not punishable, but also fear from not saying Their impunity. I mean, there is a very bizarr right. accusing the media that it has not quoted him right, or that he has not been interpreted they have been comprehended in adifferent way and attempts to correct themselves, by a politician has said something and then reads what they have said, they realizes that Yes, with the claim that we have not quoted them right. To add to this, many times when Interview Coding Sheet, Category C (Outside Pressure on Journalists) on Pressure C (Outside Category Sheet, Coding Interview N/A N/A e mix of arrogance and fear. They are 52 CEU eTD Collection SEEMO, SEEMO, Vienna. 77-104 Zlatev, O. (2006) Zlatev, ɍɧɢɜɟɪɫɢɬɟɬɡɚɇɚɰɢɨɧɚɥɧɨɢɋɜɟɬɨɜɧɨɋɬɨɩɚɧɫɬɜɨ ɮɪɚɝɦɟɧɬɚɰɢɹɜɊɟɩɭɛɥɢɤɚȻɴɥɝɚɪɢɹ (1991 –2001) Tsenova, R. Thousand305-329. Oaks: Sage,pp. in Huberman, A. Michael and Miles, Matthew B. (eds), Ritchie, Jane and Spencer,Liz (2002)."Qualitative Analysis Data for Applied Policy Research", Pluralism. Popova, V.(2004)Popova, McChesney, R. (2008) Eastern Europe. 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