The Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) is Bulgaria’s national radio broadcaster. It operates two nationwide channels and seven regional channels, as well as an international station that broadcasts in 11 languages. BNR’s nationwide channels are Horizon, which features a mix 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
The BNR has the same legal structure as the BNT and is subject to the same regulations. It is governed by a management board of five members, including the General Director, appointed by the Council for Electronic Media (CEM), Bulgaria’s media regulatory authority.
However, this appointment procedure raises concerns about BNR’s autonomy, as the CEM Council’s five members are appointed by the parliament (3) and the Bulgarian President (2).
Source of funding and budget
BNR is funded through a combination of state subsidies and commercial revenues (mainly ad sales). In 2022, BNR received a state subsidy of BGN 55.7m (US$30.5 m), which makes up nearly 95% of its total budget. The remainder of BNR’s funding comes from commercial revenues, mostly ad sales.
In recent years, BNR has been facing a deteriorating financial crisis, leading its staff to stage a protest in May 2023, demanding a pay increase. The radio’s general director participated in the protest.
In 2023, BN operated with a budget of BGN 65.8m (US$ 36.7m), according to a report from the broadcaster. Some BGN 59m of that was represented by a government transfer.
Editorial independence
Despite being more highly regarded than its television broadcasting sister in Bulgaria due to its tradition of more objective editorial coverage, Bulgarian National Radio has faced intense pressure from the government in recent years. This pressure has involved interference with journalists through the radio’s management, resulting in the dismissal of experienced journalists and even the suspension of broadcasting for several hours.
In 2020, the general director of the Bulgarian National Radio resigned after only nine months, reportedly due to government pressures.
BNR and BNT have the same obligations under the same law. BNR lacks a statute establishing its editorial independence.
The Public Council at BNR comprises seven professional experts responsible for monitoring the radio’s programs and providing feedback to the station’s management to enhance their work. However, in our analysis, we have found that due to pressure from the station’s management, the Public Council is not fulfilling its duty as intended.
August 2024