Bulgarian News Agency (BTA)

Founded in 1898 through a decree issued by Prince Ferdinand I, the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) serves as Bulgaria’s national newswire.

Media assets

News agency: BTA

State Media Matrix Typology

Independent State Funded and State Managed (ISFM)

Ownership and governance

BTA is governed by a Statute enacted by Parliament in June 1994. The Statute designates the agency as “an independent national news organization,” and its Director-General is appointed by Parliament. As of mid-2025, the current Director-General is Kiril Valchev, who continues to hold the position. 

Source of funding and budget

BTA is funded through a mix of revenue sources, including proceeds from content sales, advertising, and government subsidies. In 2023, the government allocated over BGN 12.2 million (approximately US$ 6.8 million), while the agency generated around BGN 775,000 in commercial revenue.

In 2024, BTA’s core budget amounted to BGN 11.85 million, supplemented by BGN 2 million earmarked for additional funding to support remuneration, institutional capacity, and the strengthening of its network of correspondent offices. In 2025, Parliament approved a budget of BGN 15,7 million, representing a significant year-on-year increase.

Editorial independence

BTA’s editorial coverage has historically been subjected to political pressures, yet there remains no documented evidence of recent interference in the agency’s editorial line. The 1994 Statute continues to guarantee an independent editorial policy, protecting BTA from economic and political influence.

Nonetheless, the absence of an independent oversight mechanism remains a gap—no external body currently assesses or validates BTA’s editorial independence.

September 2025