RFE/RL’s Bulgarian Service: Svobodna Evropa

RFE/RL’s Bulgarian Service, Svobodna Evropa, provides independent reporting in a media landscape weakened by monopolistic ownership and corruption.

Relaunched (2019) in response to declining media independence. Originally opened in 1950, closed when Bulgaria joined NATO (2004).
Operating from Sofia, Service is entirely digital: website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Viber.
Known for its video investigative and explainer stories: The corruption scheme on the Bulgaria-Turkey border earned more than 850,000 views.
Within weeks of launch, Svobodna Evropa broke news in an investigative series about luxury apartment sales to officials in Sofia.
Service focuses on Russia's malign influence, bringing stories from the frontlines in Ukraine to Bulgarian audiences.
Exposes disinformation with reports “Who repeats Kremlin's talking points in Bulgaria” and “How come the majority of the candidates in the elections speak like Putin.”
Investigation into Russia’s Lukoil caused political scandal and video explainer earned 275,000 views.
Told the story of how the former Bulgarian government used a gas pipeline to help Russia pressure Ukraine before the full-scale war.

Recognized by Bulgaria’s Anti-Corruption Fund, honoring three of the Service’s reporters.
Two Svaboda journalists received prestigious "Valya Krushkina - Journalism for the People" awards.

January – December 2022

Updated: January 2021

Reporters Without Borders’ World Press Freedom Index ranks Bulgaria 91st out of 180 countries.
RFE/RL and its journalists are frequently attacked in tabloids controlled by the political and business elite.

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