Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

International study reveals:

Worrying trends in the work of Bulgarian journalists

Bulgarian journalists work in a toxic environment, under pressure

Photo: Archive

In recent years, journalists in Bulgaria have been aging and declining, they work in a risky and toxic work environment, it is difficult to maintain high professional standards due to various types of pressure and corruption. This is shown by a nationally representative study "Journalists in Bulgaria: Changes and trends 2016-2022", part of the international study "Worlds of Journalism". 

From 5,800 in 2016, journalists in Bulgaria have decreased to 3,800 in 2020, and their average age has increased from 42 to 49.8 years. 

Among the demotivating factors is low pay, one of the scientific leaders of the project, Hristofor Kadarzhov, commented to BNR-Radio Sofia. Karadzhov is a journalist, political and media observer, professor of journalism at California State University, Long Beach, USA.

Only 61% of journalists in Bulgaria receive all their income from their work as journalists. Between two-thirds and one-third of the rest additionally earn from public relations, corporate communications and/or advertising, often placing them in a conflict of interest and dependency.

The survey was conducted from the end of 2021 to April 2022 by the Alfa Research sociological agency through online, telephone and direct interviews with 391 Bulgarian journalists.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Rumen Radev: Medical assistance is a leading factor of morale at the front

“One of the leading factors of motivation and morale of the people fighting at the front is the availability of fast and reliable medical evacuation, as well as of effective and adequate medical assistance and its provision in the immediate vicinity..

published on 10/5/24 2:17 PM
Galin Tsokov

2% of teachers in Bulgaria are working pensioners

“You have the challenging but noble mission to mould knowledgeable, competent and highly responsible individuals, but most of all good and honest people, worthy citizens of the country and of the world,” said Education Minister Galin Tsokov in an..

published on 10/5/24 1:21 PM
Deputy PM and Minister of Finance Lyudmila Petkova

Finance Minister Lyudmila Petkova: We expect to meet inflation criteria for accession to Eurozone by December

In December this year the Ministry of Finance will have covered the last of the criteria for accession to the Eurozone – inflation, said caretaker Deputy PM and Minister of Finance Lyudmila Petkova. Two weeks after fulfilling it, Bulgaria will ask..

published on 10/5/24 10:30 AM