Media Pluralism as a Reflection of the Political System and the Regulatory Framework in Bulgaria

Abstract

The change in the Bulgarian political system after 1989 first began with amendment of the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria, to be followed by legislative reform in all areas of public and political life, including the media. Only through the prism of the political changes in the country, which set off the transition to a democratic society and the creation of a market economy, can we consider the developments in the media environment.
The adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria on July 13, 1991, which guaranteed the right to free expression, the right to information and the existence of free media (Art. 39, Art. 40 and Art. 41), made possible the adoption by the National Assembly of the Radio and Television Act in 1998. The formation and regulation of the media environment in our country are both consequence of the political conception for the development of the media under market conditions and state-regulated licensing of radio and television programs. The current media situation in the country is a consequence of the state policy and the regulatory framework after November 10, 1989 until today.