site.btaPM Borissov, Cristophe Deloire Discuss Ways to Boost Media Freedom in Bulgaria

December 3 (BTA) - Prime Minister Boyko Borissov had a
meeting with Christophe Deloire, Director General of Reporters
Without Borders, at the Council of Ministers on Tuesday. During
the talk, Borissov said that he values highly the dialogue with
the NGO sector on a topic that is vital to any democratic
society -- the freedom of speech, Cabinet press office said in a
 release.

Borissov and Deloire discussed the possibilities for Bulgaria to
 improve its ranking according to the World Press Freedom Index,
 compiled by Reporter Without Borders every year, the release
says.

Borissov presented the measures recently adopted by the
government, guaranteeing timely and unhindered access to
information in printed editions. This will be possible through
the Bulgarian postal service "Bulgarian Posts" which will be
doing the distribution and sales of printed editions across
Bulgaria. This cabinet decision will improve the current market
competition, and publishers of printed editions will be reaching
 the end consumers within clearly predefined parameters, the
release says.

Borissov pointed out that thanks to the work of Bulgaria's EU
Commissioner Mariya Gabriel, this country has been actively
participating in the development of various measures against
disinformation and fake news which he characterized as a real
threat, concluding that fake news and disinformation are
undermining the foundations of trust among people and in the
institutions.

The Prime Minister invited the representatives of Reporters
Without Borders to contribute to the decision making with
suggestions for legislative amendments to guarantee independence
 for the media and accurate, unbiased information for the
public.

NV/MT



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