“Our declaration is dedicated to a much more serious problem that we have been talking about for years - the exceptional double standard in the coverage of political and social reality by most Bulgarian media.“ With these words, Kostadin Kostadinov raised the issue from the parliamentary rostrum about the systemic media inequality that manipulates public opinion and conceals political dependencies.
In his speech, made on Vasil Levski's birthday, Kostadinov criticized both the national and private media. According to him, only a small part of the media in Bulgaria can be called objective. “Unfortunately, the majority are not in this category“, emphasized the chairman of “Vazrazhdane“.
He pointed out specific examples with data: “PP-DB, which had 14% in the elections, has between 30 and 40% of the media time on BNT, and on BNR - an average of 50%, sometimes more. This same formation also receives over 50-60% of the airtime in all journalistic programs on BTV and Nova TV.“ At the same time, “Vazrazhdane“, with greater parliamentary representation, receives only 6% of airtime on BNT, which is “three times less than what we have as representation in parliament, and four times less than our influence in society.“, said Kostadinov.
He also drew a parallel with cases of repression that remained out of the media's field of vision: “When dozens of Bulgarian citizens were arrested on February 22, 11 of them were detained, 4 were left permanently in custody - this was not commented on. The same media supported the actions of the Sofia City Court and the Prosecutor's Office. And when this happened to a mayor from the PP-DB, suddenly all the media began to cover it with an hour and a half of reports in the morning.“
“Over 1,800 people from “Vazrazhdane" were questioned, filed, files were created for them. This was not commented on anywhere. We sent positions, publications - complete silence. If this had happened to 10 people from PP-DB, there would have been a roar to God!“, Kostadin Kostadinov was indignant.
He also criticized the complicity of the parliamentary majority in this double standard: “When Peevski's prosecutor's office hits a person from PP-DB - this is a political process. When it wants immunity for a deputy from "Vazrazhdane" - this is right. And PP-DB voted together with MRF without a drop of shame.“
In his speech, Kostadinov also attacked the political hypocrisy of the previous partners in power: “Last year, GERB and MRF were not pussies, pumpkins and pigs. Last year it was Mr. Borisov and Mr. Peevski who were the good guys, and today they are the bad guys - this is disgusting hypocrisy that makes me, as an ordinary Bulgarian citizen, sick.“
Regarding foreign interference, Kostadinov recalled: “Yesterday, at a PP-DB protest, there were foreign ambassadors. If this had happened at our rally, they would have accused us of national treason. We do not allow foreign interference. They are negotiating on the French proposal with the French ambassador. Just because of this, Hristo Ivanov should have been in prison.“
The chairman of “Vazrazhdane“ concluded with an appeal to citizens: “Open your eyes and see what is happening in parliament. Don't look at what they say, look at what they vote for. That is why we will not stop fighting the double standard. If we do not destroy it, it will destroy Bulgaria.“
And he stated categorically: “We have a cause, a heart and a soul. They have instructions and money. But in the end - victory will be ours. Long live Bulgaria!“