The Bulgarian National Television suspended its Ukrainian-language news format, a digital service launched on June 19, 2023, to provide accessible information for Ukrainian citizens who arrived in Bulgaria following the February 2022 full-scale Russian invasion, according to the Bessarabian Front. The daily weekday bulletins, distributed exclusively online through the broadcaster’s website rather than broadcast on air or uploaded to YouTube, were discontinued due to low audience interest, as confirmed by Director General Milena Milotinova during a Council for Electronic Media report presentation in late September.
Maria Plachkova Details the End of the Ukrainian News Broadcast
Maria Plachkova, who served as the anchor and editor of the Ukrainian-language news format since its inception, addressed the closure in a public message, describing the conclusion of the broadcast as a significant milestone in her professional life. Plachkova noted that she has worked at the national broadcaster for four and a half years, spending the last three years editing and anchoring the Ukrainian bulletins. She pointed out that the format’s production limitations included the suspension of on-location reporting trips and a lack of YouTube distribution. According to her statements, the program provided a vital platform to report on Ukraine, Ukrainians in Bulgaria, and individuals whose lives connect both countries.
The journalist’s career reflects a sustained commitment to bilateral communication. Her professional path in Ukraine began as the author of a Bulgarian-language program created for the local Bulgarian community there. Following her arrival in Bulgaria, she transitioned to reporting in Ukrainian about the host country, local Ukrainian residents, and cultural ties. “We, Bulgarians who were born in Ukraine, have the special honor and responsibility to be a bridge between two countries, two cultures, and two peoples,” Plachkova stated. She confirmed that the end of the news format does not mark the conclusion of her media career, as she intends to pursue new projects in journalism and public life.
Did You Know? The Ukrainian-language news bulletins were launched on June 19, 2023, and published on the Bulgarian National Television website on weekdays to serve refugees displaced by the 2022 Russian invasion.
Politicians Debate Ukrainian Language Broadcasts on Public Television
The original rollout of the Ukrainian-language programming generated public debate and political division. Former caretaker Tourism Minister Ilin Dimitrov questioned why the public broadcaster offered content in Ukrainian rather than the native tongues of other foreign visitors, characterizing war refugees as ordinary tourists. Meanwhile, BSP Member of Parliament Borislav Gutsanov denounced the initiative from the parliamentary rostrum, labeling the decision an act of national betrayal. Defending the launch at the time, former Director General Koshlukov maintained that the network would soon expand foreign-language offerings.
Following the restructuring of online operations, the broadcaster initiated a different digital approach. The network began publishing an online edition of the “По света и у нас” (World and Us) newscast translated into Ukrainian, releasing initial segments on consecutive days via its website and social media channels. Representatives from the Bessarabian Front thanked Plachkova for her reporting contributions and service to the Ukrainian community in Bulgaria, emphasizing that bilateral ties extend beyond the lifespan of any single media program.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Ukrainian-language news format start on Bulgarian National Television?
The service launched on June 19, 2023, publishing weekday bulletins on the broadcaster’s website.
What was the official reason given for suspending the bulletins?
Director General Milena Milotinova cited low audience interest during a presentation of the media’s report to the Council for Electronic Media in late September.
Who was the primary anchor and editor for the suspended program?
Maria Plachkova served as the editor and anchor of the news format from its creation until its discontinuation.
How will the public broadcaster handle Ukrainian-language news moving forward?
The network began publishing online segments of its established “По света и у нас” newscast translated into Ukrainian on its website and social media channels.
How do viewers and cultural organizations view the future of bilateral relations following the format’s closure?
The Bessarabian Front stated that cultural and informational bridges between Bulgaria and Ukraine do not end with the conclusion of a single media format.
Worth a look