Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) is the national radio broadcaster in Bulgaria. The station operates two nationwide channels and seven regional channels as well as an international station that airs in 11 languages. BNR’s nationwide channels are Horizon, which airs a combination of news and music, and Hristo Botev, which covers science, arts, culture, documentaries and music.
Media assets
Radio: National- Horizont, Hristo Botev; Regional- Radio Blagoevgrad, Radio Burgas, Radio Kırcali, Radio Plovdiv, Radio Shumen, Radio Sofiya, Radio Stara Zagora, Radio Varna, Radio Vidin; International- Radio Bulgaria
State Media Matrix Typology: State-Controlled (SC)
Ownership and governance
BNR has the same incorporation form, is regulated by the same law and is governed in the same manner as Bulgarian National Television (BNT). BNR’s main governing structure is a management board whose five members including the General Director are appointed by the Council for Electronic Media (CEM), the media regulatory authority in Bulgaria. This appointment procedure prevents BNR from achieving real autonomy as the CEM Council’s five members are appointed by parliament (3) and Bulgarian President (2).
Source of funding and budget
BNR is funded through a combination of state subsidies and commercial revenues (mostly ad sales). In 2020, BNR received a state subsidy of BGN 49.4m (US$ 30m), which accounts for nearly 95% of the total budget of the BNR. In 2022, BNR received a state subsidy of BGN 55.7m (US$ 30.5m), which accounts for nearly 95% of the BNR’s total budget, according to data from the outlet’s budget.
In recent years, BNR has been experiencing a worsening financial crisis, which prompted its staff in May 2023 to protest in the street for an increase in their pay. The protest was joined by the radio’s general director.
Editorial independence
Although, thanks to its tradition of more objective editorial coverage, BNR is regarded more highly in Bulgaria than its television peer, the Bulgarian radio broadcaster has come under intense pressure from the government in recent years (pressures made on journalists via the station’s management), some of which led to sacking of veteran journalists and suspension of broadcasting (for several hours). In 2020, BNR’s general director resigned after only nine months in the position following pressures from the government.
BNR has the same obligations in place as BNT, as put forward in the same law. The radio doesn’t have a statute that would establish its independence.
BNR has an internal body called the Public Council, consisting of seven members who are supposed to be professional experts. Their main mission is to monitor the programs of the radio and give feedback to the station’s management to improve their work.
October 2023