May 21, 2021 – Bulgaria’s Deputy Prime Minister and Home Secretary Boyko Rashkov targeted journalists Bilyana Gavazova and her TV partner in the interview he participated in. In an interview he appeared on Bulgarian National Radio, Rashkov spoke about the dismissal of the journalists. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) denounces the vicious attack against Bilyana. We find this comment unacceptable and demand Rashkov a sincere apology to the journalists who were questioned about their profession.

Speaking at the station "Horizont" of the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR), Deputy Prime Minister Rashkov targeted Bilyana Gavazova and Zlatomir Yochev, who hosts "This Morning" on the private channel, bTV. The Deputy Prime Minister said he would fire the journalists if he owned bTV. Recently he appeared on BTV and gave an interview to the TV programme which he complained about later.

According to the Council of Europe, in the radio’s interview he said, “If I own this television, I will immediately remove them from a leading role in the show”. “Probably the way Gavazova and her partner ran the show was a lucrative business,” he added. 

After his accusations, BTV Media Group made a statement about the Deputy Prime Minister’s comments. The media outlet addressed targeting journalists are ‘alarming’. “After more than 30 years of democracy and freedom of speech in this country, officials from all governments continue to publicly attack journalists working in private independent media with baseless allegations,” BTV highlighted the issue. 

Even though Rashkov apologised to journalists appearing in another interview hosted by TV1, he questioned Bilyana’s and her TV partner Zlatomir Yochev’s profession. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns political leader’s comments targeting journalists. These practices solely aim to intimidate journalists and cannot be accepted. Journalists must freely do their job without facing any threats or attacks.