"For a motivated journalist in Bulgaria it is easy to detect, investigate and collect proof of corruption and abuse of power. But currently, when making their findings public, instead of a gratifying applause, journalists encounter great chances of hitting a wall of silence, facing authorities with “eyes wide shut”, or even worse: being followed, intimidated, discouraged through smearing campaigns and labeled “Enemy of the State”. The reasons are classic - corrupt editors and publishers, self-censorship, pressure from the authorities and media ownership concentrated in the hands of oligarchs, who are using the press like “media bats” to gain control and punish the few defiant ones.
This said, in such a difficult context, investigative journalism in Bulgaria is not dead yet. It even shows signs of being in good shape. Thanks to the wise use of the technologies, investigative reporters can continue their work and even bypass the wall of silence, spreading their findings among the public through social media and gaining popularity that makes the uncovered issues ineludible for the mainstream media and the authorities." (Page 1)