Bulgaria’s media regulators stops broadcast of Russian state-controlled international television

Sofia, Bulgaria: The media regulator authorities of Bulgaria have provisionally intercepted the broadcast Russian state-controlled international television. This comes aligning with restrictive measures and sanctions initiated by the European Union (EU) against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. 

The Council for Electronic Media – (CEM) announced in its statement informed that the motion was passed with a majority of a total of four votes. As per local media, this decision of the regulator has been sent to the Communications Regulation Commission of the European country in order to receive further validation. 

Reasons for stopping the broadcast: 

CEM stated the violation of the international laws by the Russian government is the primary reason for banning the broadcast of the country’s state-controlled international television. 

The recommendation has been made by the Foreign Ministry of Bulgaria in relation to the concerns for the Russian propaganda and disinformation, as well as a provision in Bulgarian broadcasting legislation that prohibits the media services from igniting violence and hatred among the population, based on a few articles in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. 

Sources have also claimed that the decision might be contested at the administrative court of Bulgaria’s capital city within the tenure of at least two weeks. 

In addition, the President of the European Commission – EU – Ursula von der Leyen made an announcement on Sunday, informing that the commission is stopping the two primary and significant broadcasters of Russia following its invasion in Ukraine. 

Countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States of America have also imposed several stringent sanctions on Russia. The administration of the United Kingdom has banned main Russian banks following ts decision of invading Ukraine.