site.btaPresident Greets Journalists on 180th Anniversary of Bulgarian Periodical Press

Based on professional standards, journalism remains the guarantor of objective reporting of information, protection of the public interest, pluralism and democracy, President Rumen Radev said in a congratulatory address to the Union of Bulgarian Journalists (UBJ) on the occasion of the 180th anniversary of the periodical press in Bulgaria and 130 years since the beginning of the organized journalistic movement in Bulgaria, the press secretariat of the head of State announced.

The President underscores that the evolution of media platforms, advertising markets and corporate dependencies does not cancel the moral foundations of journalism. "It is still called upon to fight for the truth, to inform with integrity, to enlighten, build and contribute to the formation and development of a critically thinking and active civil society," Radev said.

In his address, the head of State also highlights the role of the media in preserving and transmitting through the generations history, national traditions and customs, for the development of Bulgarian culture and the popularization of scientific achievements. "Protecting the moral foundations of society requires not only exposing the negative phenomena, but also highlighting the positive examples that are of key importance for the future of our country," the President said.

The Union of Bulgarian Journalists organized a concert on the occasion of the holiday. It took place at the State Satirical Theatre under the auspices of the President.

In the context of the growing influence of corporate and political interests in the media, the responsibility of the Bulgarian journalists for defending the standards and principles in journalism is growing, without which its future is unthinkable," the head of State said, emphasizing that only the professional community of the Bulgarian journalists, united around a solid moral basis, for which the public interest is leading, can be a reliable barrier to attempts to subjugate the media, deviate from professional standards, censorship and self-censorship. "Keep on fighting for the truth," the head of state wished the Union of Bulgarian journalists and all Bulgarian journalists.

According to Radev, the Union of Bulgarian Journalists continues to be a pillar of professional standards and a factor for their establishment in journalism.