Lawyer Vows to Boycott bTV Over Journalist’s Dismissal

Adv. Mihail Ekimdzhiev strongly condemned the dismissal of journalist Maria Tsantsarova from bTV.He declared he will not appear on the station again until the situation is resolved according to the rule of law and principles of free speech.

In a Facebook post by MP Manol Peikov from “We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria” (PP-DB),Ekimdzhiev argues that bTV holds a notable public responsibility. It’s not simply a business; it’s a major media outlet tasked with informing citizens about crucial issues, including government affairs.

He stresses that bTV obtained its broadcasting licence with commitments to journalistic freedom, protecting reporters from censorship, and upholding ethical standards. The right to access and share unbiased information, he asserts, is essential to fair and democratic elections.

“The argument that a journalist is bound by confidentiality clauses in their employment contract – almost as an unbreakable vow – is deeply flawed,” Ekimdzhiev states.

Ekimdzhiev further explained his position regarding Tsantsarova’s dismissal:

“The core duty of a journalist is to inform the public. This obligation is paramount, especially when covering matters of significant public interest like corruption, censorship, or undue influence within both public and private media.”

He clarified that Tsantsarova’s case isn’t about entertainment programming. It concerns a morning news and commentary segment – a critical source of information for many Bulgarians.