OSCE media freedom representative condemns assault on journalist in Bulgaria, calls on authorities to ensure safety

VIENNA, 14 May 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today raised concern over the assault against Khristo Geshov, a TV journalist from Cherven Bryag, in a letter to the Bulgarian authorities.

“I am concerned over the attack on critical journalist Khristo Geshov,” Désir wrote in a letter to the Permanent Representative of Bulgaria to the OSCE. “Geshov is known for his investigative reporting where he exposed corruption at the municipal level. I call on the authorities to swiftly investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice. The authorities are responsible for establishing a climate conducive to investigative and critical reporting,” added the Representative.

Goshev was attacked in front of his house in the night of 10 May, after receiving a series of threats on social media and by telephone. He has published reports critical of Bulgarian authorities on the misappropriation of communal funds and is a contributor to the investigative platform For The Truth and a number of popular broadcast programmes in Bulgaria.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media has previously intervened in a number of similar cases in Bulgaria, in particular, on behalf of journalists from Nova TV, Bivol and Zov News (see https://www.osce.org/fom/358966; https://www.osce.org/fom/349836;  https://www.osce.org/fom/216881).

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.