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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.

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