What’s the problem with Bulgarian media?

A combination of market trends and murky political interference has turned the media environment toxic, with only islands of professionalism remaining

A slap from across the ocean, a 4.2% drop in GDP and are there really so many vandals around here

The day in 3 news: US senators say corruption threatens bilateral ties with Bulgaria, Borissov promises GDP growth of 35 billion euro, Parliament rejects BSP motion to purchase Sputnik V vaccine

The day in 3 news: Bad loans rise; Gov’t looks to herd immunity by end-summer; Upcoming rail tender for half a billion euro

Nikos Stathopoulos: An editorial board outside of Bulgaria will guarantee Nova TV’s independence

BC Partners' executive talks to Capital about the acquisition of BTC telecom and the media group

The words you need to know this month

A budget to appeal to everyone

There is enough room for maneuvering in case of an economic downturn but reforms are nowhere in sight

Fast Reads

Having a fact-based opinion is now a felony in Bulgaria

The criminal sentence handed to Capital Weekly investigative journalist Rossen Bossev could serve as a precedent to suppress future journalistic investigations

Rumen Radev steps up his game

The Bulgarian head of state has grown bolder as he enters the third year of his term but he is still some way from launching a new political project

Behind the prosecution’s smokescreen

The sudden flurry of conspicuous law enforcement activities is a two-pronged campaign

Sofia’s successful guerrilla warfare against Brussels

So, what made Bulgaria the European Commission's darling?

The words you need to know this month

Bulgarians persistently mistrust institutions

Trust subsides down to a close circle of family and friends, while the public sphere is perceived as alien, unreliable, and potentially threatening

You give the EU Presidency a bad name

International media focus on Bulgaria during the country’s presidency of the Council of the EU coincides with some ugly scandals that resonate across Europe and tarnish the image of the country which was already far from pristine

Political responsibility cannot be imported from abroad

Bulgaria and other East European countries still lack institutional frameworks that hold politicians accountable

A state under siege

Bulgaria remains a state captured by strong economic interests exerting systemic influence over key bodies in the administration and the judiciary

The words you need to know this month

Sorosoids vs. Rubladzhii. Brown media. StaLbilnost (StaLbility)