site.btaAssociation of European Journalists Opposes Bill on Foreign Agents

The Association of European Journalists - Bulgaria (AEJ) Wednesday submitted a reasoning to the National Assembly opposing the bill on foreign agents submitted by far-right Vazrazhdane party on September 10. The AEJ called the bill “absurd and unconstitutional”. The bill will be considered on Thursday by the parliamentary Committee on Culture and Media chaired by Vazrazhdane, the Association reported.

"The tabled bill on the registration of foreign agents is unconstitutional and though bordering on absurd, is not only dangerous but shows a policy which by its very nature is an attempt to bring about anti-democratic ideology and change the social order established by the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria. This type of action has even been elevated to a crime under Article 108 of the Criminal Code and should be clearly marked as an attempt to undermine the democratic and legal order in the country, which guarantees the freedom of the individual, property and choice," the AEJ stated.

The project targets all legal entities covered by the Radio and Television Act and its main purpose is to stifle freedom of expression, the AEJ noted adding that even the mere discussion of this bill may undermine the freedom of speech, the media, journalists and civil society.

The bill is mostly aimed at civil society organizations and the media, but it will also affects businesses, educational institutions, municipalities, ministries, institutions of the judiciary and thousands of Bulgarian citizens, the message added.