Gabriela Naplatanova, Chair of the Council for Electronic Media (CEM), asserted that only strong and independent journalism can hold those in power accountable for their decisions. Speaking at the opening of the regulator’s first meeting of her second term on Thursday, Naplatanova urged journalists to maintain professional ethical standards and diligently protect the dignity of their profession. During her tenure as acting CEM chair from April to October 2024, Naplatanova expressed gratitude to the regulator members for their trust, noting that each member’s experience provides a valuable contribution to the Council’s work.
She stated that the CEM intends to remain accessible to society, journalistic organizations, the media industry, and academia, and plans to support initiatives designed to improve media content quality. Naplatanova clarified that the regulator’s role is primarily supportive, emphasizing that the main responsibility for the state of the media environment rests with journalists and creative professionals. She cautioned that mere declarations are insufficient to guarantee freedom of speech and journalistic independence.
She underlined that only strong and independent media can help society develop critical thinking skills and make informed decisions regarding its future. While pointing out that the members’ roles on the regulator are temporary, she stressed that efforts to safeguard the media environment must be continuous. Naplatanova was elected Chair of the CEM on April 23, nominated by Simona Veleva and Kadrinka Kadrinova, and her term commenced on April 28, concluding on April 27, 2027.
Topics: #only #strong #independent
It’s encouraging to hear a regulator emphasize the necessity of an independent press.
What specific measures does the Council for Electronic Media plan to implement to ensure journalistic independence?