Свързаност на медийната свобода и съдебната независимост: актуални измерения в България през 2024 г.: Въвеждането на европейската анти-SLAPP директива може да укрепи законовата защита, но не правораздаването
The Connection between Media Freedom and Judicial Independence: Current Dimensions in Bulgaria in 2024: Transposing the European Anti-SLAPP Directive May Strengthen Legal Protection, but Not the Administration of Justice

Author(s): Irina Garkova
Subject(s): Social Sciences, Media studies, Communication studies
Published by: Факултет по журналистика и масова комуникация, Софийски университет „Св. Кл. Охридски”
Keywords: freedom of expression; judicial reform; rule of law; SLAPP cases; self-censorship
Summary/Abstract: This article examines the current dimensions, in the national context, of the interconnection between media freedom and the independence of judicial authorities, particularly the national courts as bearers of judicial power. The article covers the intersection of key issues related to media freedom and judicial independence: the European monitoring of Bulgaria’s judicial reform; data from a representative national survey among journalists who directly link self-censorship to the threat of legal prosecution; Bulgarian SLAPP cases and the transposition of the new European directive to limit judicial harassment against those exercising freedom of expression. The current aspects of the topic lead to two main conclusions: the need to update the legislative framework and the need for greater quality in the administration of justice.

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