site.btaForeign Minister Zaharieva Attends Virtual Ministerial Meeting of Media Freedom Coalition

Sofia, November 16 (BTA) - In a statement made to a ministerial
meeting of the member states of the Media Freedom Coalition held
 by video conference, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ekaterina
Zaharieva urged for a common approach in identifying, exposing
and preventing all attempts at disinformation, Zaharieva's
Ministry said in a press release Monday.

The video conference was co-chaired by Canada and Botswana.
Ministers of 32 delegations made statements at the event.

Zaharieva said that all countries need to create legal
instruments that guarantee freedom of speech. In her words, the
media today work under the strain of fake news, as well as of
various regulations which restrict access to information,
including by use of Artificial Intelligence. The Bulgarian
Foreign Minister also dwelled on the coverage of the coronavirus
 pandemic, noting that governments need to provide transparent
and timely information.

Zaharieva reiterated the resolve of the Bulgarian government to
take to court all perpetrators of crimes against journalists and
 to apply all standards for protection of the freedom of
expression.

The Media Freedom Coalition was formed in July 2019 at the
Global Conference for Media Freedom in London as a partnership
of countries working together to advocate media freedom and
safety of journalists. Bulgaria has been a member of the
coalition since its inception. So far, 37 countries are members
of the Media Freedom Coalition and all have signed its Media
Freedom Pledge. NV/ZH