Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 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

Weather forecast: Temperatures start to creep up over the weekend

On Saturday minimum temperatures will range between 10° C.  and 19° C., for Sofia 10° C.  During the day there will be sun with cumulus clouds after midday, and rain and thunder in some parts of the mountain regions of Southern Bulgaria. There will..

published on 7/18/25 6:35 PM
Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov and Assistant Secretary for International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy Tommy Joyce (left to right).

The Energy Minister: The USA is a powerful ally on key regional projects.

A Bulgarian delegation led by Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov held a series of meetings with representatives of the US State Department and the Department of Energy in Washington . The discussions centred on strengthening the strategic partnership..

published on 7/18/25 6:16 PM

Bulgaria and North Macedonia confirm commitment to finalize Corridor 8

At a meeting in Brussels between officials from the transport ministries of Bulgaria and North Macedonia, the two countries confirmed their commitment to finalizing the missing railway sections of Corridor 8, the Ministry of Transport has announced...

published on 7/18/25 4:54 PM