The Council for Electronic Media (CEM) has released a statement denying any suggestion related to the denial of atrocities in Bucha. The media regulator’s position was published on its website on Thursday and is believed to have been supported unanimously by all five members of the council, including chairwoman Sonja Momchilova.
The statement comes in response to more than 20 journalists who have called for Momchilova’s resignation and for the SEM to distance itself from her. The journalists sent an open letter to the presidents of the parliament and the culture and media committee, expressing their concerns.
The controversy arose from Momchilova’s comments on disinformation during Russia’s war in Ukraine. In an interview with vlogger Asen Genov, she suggested that there is propaganda on both sides, including rumors about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s health and the events in Bucha.
These comments have sparked outrage, particularly from the Ukrainian embassy in Sofia and the US diplomatic mission. They argue that Momchilova’s remarks cast doubt on the credibility of international revelations about the killings and torture inflicted by the Russian army on the civilian population in Bucha during the early weeks of the invasion of Ukraine.
The CEM’s position emphasizes the seriousness of the atrocities committed in Bucha and states that the council has already imposed property sanctions on media outlets that deny these crimes. Although specific media outlets are not named in the statement, unofficial sources suggest that channels affiliated with the BSP and “Ataka” parties may be among them.
The journalists who called for Momchilova’s resignation argue that her statements align with the propaganda of the aggressor state and contradict the official position of Bulgaria and its European allies regarding the war in Ukraine. They are demanding legal changes that would allow for the removal of CEM members whose behavior undermines the authority’s prestige.
The Ukrainian embassy in Sofia has condemned Momchilova’s comments as “unacceptable and manipulative,” while the American embassy has attributed the denial of the Bucha revelations to the “Kremlin disinformation machine.”
The situation continues to unfold, with tensions rising between those who support Momchilova’s position and those who believe her remarks undermine the truth about the atrocities in Bucha. The calls for her resignation and the demand for legal changes to the CEM’s structure highlight the importance of media accountability and the need to address disinformation during times of conflict.
Why have over 20 journalists called for the resignation of chairwoman Sonja Momchilova and the distancing of CEM from her
The Council for Electronic Media (CEM) has strongly denied allegations of denying atrocities in Bucha. The media regulator, consisting of five members, including chairwoman Sonja Momchilova, released a statement reiterating their stance on the matter. The statement was published on the CEM’s website and is believed to have received unanimous support from all council members.
The denial by CEM comes in response to a call for Momchilova’s resignation and the distancing of the CEM from her by over 20 journalists. The journalists expressed their concerns in an open letter addressed to the presidents of the parliament and the culture and media committee.
The controversy surrounding Momchilova stems from her comments regarding disinformation during Russia’s war in Ukraine. Her remarks have sparked a debate among journalists, prompting further scrutiny of her position within the CEM.
It is disconcerting to see CEM deny the suggestion of denying atrocities in Bucha. It is essential to face historical truths and provide support to the victims of such horrifying acts. Accountability and acknowledgement are crucial steps towards healing and preventing the repetition of past horrors.