The Balkan Free Media Initiative is concerned by a statement issued by Bulgaria’s Government Information Service on 26 October 2026 that questions journalists’ professionalism and integrity over their coverage of the prime minister.

Accuracy is a duty. Publishing a politician’s remarks in full is not. Journalists must be free to decide what is newsworthy, edit statements, provide context and ask difficult questions. None of this, in itself, amounts to manipulation or censorship.

The government has every right to challenge inaccurate reporting. But it should identify the errors and set out the facts. The statement provides no specific examples to support its broad accusations against journalists and media outlets.

Its appeal to “honest Bulgarian media” is particularly troubling. It implies that a newsroom’s integrity depends on whether it covers the prime minister on the government’s terms. Such language from a state institution can put pressure on editors and reporters, encourage self-censorship and undermine trust in independent journalism.

BFMI calls on the Government Information Service to address journalists’ questions directly, substantiate any claims of inaccurate reporting and respect newsrooms’ editorial independence.

A government press office speaks for the government. Journalists serve the public. Their responsibility is to scrutinise those in power and hold them to account.

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