President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, says there is a need for the media to be supported.
The president said this in Kazanlak on Sunday at the closing of the 18th World Meeting of the Bulgarian Media which was organized by the Bulgarian news agency (BTA) from Thursday to Sunday.
“This is in view of the role it plays as not only an observer of happenings in the society but as a protector and guardian of democracy and development,” he said.
Radev observed that in Bulgaria before now journalists were forced to resign from work by politicians and state actors.
“But we must support them. Together we will work to drive out the nefarious practices against press freedom and independence of the media,” he said.
The president observed that ownership of the media is another factor capable of working against free and independent media.
He, however, pledged that “we’ll use all available tools and instruments to uphold freedom of the media.
“Free media respect their audience. Free media understand the differences between facts and interpreting them.”
The president commended BTA for organizing the meeting and for promoting unbiased journalism in Bulgaria.
He also praised BTA for working closely with international partners through mutually-beneficial cooperation to protect and uphold the interests of Bulgarians.
Radev also said that such meetings “have proven to be successful where professionals discuss issues that help us move forward”.
He observed that such actions were helping to grow the interests of Bulgarians living in the diaspora.
According to him, cooperation with international partners is broadening the cultural and spiritual heritage of the citizens and that is helping them to survive.
The president also said public media should have adequate financing as “we cannot develop as a society without a media industry that is not up-to-date because of inadequate funding.”
He said meetings such as the one that just ended were “stepping stones towards making things better in the future” because of the brainstorming that usually characterize the conference.
Radev who described the Kazanlak Rose Festival in central Bulgaria as outstanding and awesome noted that it has the capacity to uplift the country’s tourism industry.
Speaking earlier, Director-General of BTA, Kiril Valchev, had said journalists participating in the meeting had embarked on many ventures.
He said these included attending the media meeting in the Valley of Roses, and visiting the Thracian Tombs.
“This is because we want to provide freedom of choice for the people to be able to make informed choices from.
“Freedom makes us united as a people,” Valchev added.
