Bulgaria criticized for denying Macedonian reporters access

South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the decision of Bulgarian authorities to deny Skopje-based journalists the permission to enter Bulgaria. The Macedonian journalists were on their way to cover an event organized in the village of Melnik, where local hero Yane Sandanski was killed in 1872. Sandanski led a resistance movement against the Ottoman Empire. Ethnic Bulgarians and Macedonians disagree over his ethnic origin. Each group claims him as their own hero. Bulgaria criticized for denying Macedonian reporters access Three media outlets from Skopje - television channels, TV Sonce and Kanal 5, as well as daily Dnevnik - were prevented from entering Bulgaria on April 17, 2011. They intended to cover the commemoration in Melnik. No explanations were provided. Border police stopped the car with Dnevnik crew and asked about their destination. Once they explained the purpose of the trip, according to a story published on the Dnevnik website, they were asked to turn in their passports. In order to have them returned, they had to sign a document stating that they lacked the proper permission to cover the event. Macedonian citizens do not need visas to enter Bulgaria. TV Sonce had a similar experience in 2010. As reported by SEEMO on May 5, 2010, the broadcaster was turned back at the Bulgarian border due to a lack of proper accreditation. In 2011, they applied ahead of time. On April 4, 2011, the Bulgarian embassy in Skopje sent an official reply: the application was denied. No reasons were stated. SEEMO contacted officials from the Foreign Ministry in Sofia and Bulgarian diplomatic representatives in Skopje. While diplomatic representatives explained that all media permissions are decided on in Sofia, the director of the Directorate for Information in Sofia said that Bulgaria is a sovereign country and does not have to provide any reasons for denying accreditations. According to Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry, all journalists need permission to report in the country. There are several types of permission. The decision on who gets permission is made in Sofia, while applications are submitted to Bulgarian embassies. The experience of Kanal 5 was different. After applying for accreditation and providing all the required information, including serial numbers for camera equipment and a car engine identification number, embassy representative in Skopje said that there was not enough time to process the application, the broadcaster reported on its website. The Association of European Journalists-Bulgaria sent an open letter to Bulgarian authorities, asking if journalists from the mainstream European media would be given the same treatment or if there was a deliberate targeting of Skopje-based reporters. When journalists are denied accreditation, they should receive an explanation. Blank rejections are contrary to international standards and clearly violate press freedom. SEEMO condemns these discriminatory practices and urges Bulgaria’s authorities to let the journalists from Macedonia enter the country and report freely. SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic called on Bulgarian authorities "to adhere to international standards of press freedom."

Bulgaria criticized for denying Macedonian reporters access

Three media outlets from Skopje - television channels, TV Sonce and Kanal 5, as well as daily Dnevnik - were prevented from entering Bulgaria on April 17, 2011. They intended to cover the commemoration in Melnik. No explanations were provided. Border police stopped the car with Dnevnik crew and asked about their destination. Once they explained the purpose of the trip, according to a story published on the Dnevnik website, they were asked to turn in their passports. In order to have them returned, they had to sign a document stating that they lacked the proper permission to cover the event. Macedonian citizens do not need visas to enter Bulgaria.

TV Sonce had a similar experience in 2010. As reported by SEEMO on May 5, 2010, the broadcaster was turned back at the Bulgarian border due to a lack of proper accreditation. In 2011, they applied ahead of time. On April 4, 2011, the Bulgarian embassy in Skopje sent an official reply: the application was denied. No reasons were stated. SEEMO contacted officials from the Foreign Ministry in Sofia and Bulgarian diplomatic representatives in Skopje. While diplomatic representatives explained that all media permissions are decided on in Sofia, the director of the Directorate for Information in Sofia said that Bulgaria is a sovereign country and does not have to provide any reasons for denying accreditations.

According to Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry, all journalists need permission to report in the country. There are several types of permission. The decision on who gets permission is made in Sofia, while applications are submitted to Bulgarian embassies.

The experience of Kanal 5 was different. After applying for accreditation and providing all the required information, including serial numbers for camera equipment and a car engine identification number, embassy representative in Skopje said that there was not enough time to process the application, the broadcaster reported on its website.

The Association of European Journalists-Bulgaria sent an open letter to Bulgarian authorities, asking if journalists from the mainstream European media would be given the same treatment or if there was a deliberate targeting of Skopje-based reporters. When journalists are denied accreditation, they should receive an explanation. Blank rejections are contrary to international standards and clearly violate press freedom.

SEEMO condemns these discriminatory practices and urges Bulgaria’s authorities to let the journalists from Macedonia enter the country and report freely. SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujović called on Bulgarian authorities "to adhere to international standards of press freedom."