Hosted in Sofia by Bulgarian National Radio

The annual conference of the Public Media Alliance (PMA) has commenced. The forum — titled “Public Media: The Power of Argument” — is being held for the first time in Sofia, hosted by Bulgarian National Radio (BNR).

The event was opened by President Rumen Radev of the Republic of Bulgaria, who pointed out that today we see algorithms triumphing over arguments, demagoguery over pluralism, and fake news taking the place of truth.

He emphasized that in this environment, public media face financial pressures, growing political and corporate influence, and technological challenges. He called on them: “In order for the voices of public media to be heard, they must listen to people. They must seek the truth and share it, whether or not it is convenient for the powers of the day—economic and political. They must be able to withstand the pressure of suppression and censorship. They must inform and educate. They must set the standards for the entire media environment. Because there is no democracy and freedom without freedom of speech and pluralism.”

“Do we want verified information that inspires trust? Do we want journalism that asks questions in order to inform society? Or do we prefer to sit in a comfortable bubble filled with AI-generated content, specially created to please us?” — these are the questions, according to BNR Director General Milen Mitev, that the tomorrow already on our doorstep is posing.

Mitev underlined that public media are financed with public funds but are independent of public power, and noted: “This grants the freedom to pursue only one interest — that of society. Public media in a democratic society cannot be used as a tool for attack. We are a superb defensive line against disinformation, manipulation, lies. And if that line thins, the very fabric of society will wither.”

The annual PMA conference continues until October 22. It brings together heads and representatives of public radio and television from 24 countries across five continents.