Media culture and professionalism in reporting on minority issues in Bulgaria: Practices and problems

Th e purpose of the article is to discuss the regulatory and self-regulatory approaches to the media in Bulgaria having an impact on professional reporting on minorities’ issues and encour- aging intercultural dialogue among various social and ethnic groups. As an element of democratic transition, the formation of a new media culture and attitude towards minorities in the country is a long and complicated process combining legal and media components. One of the expected positive outcomes of the transformations taking place has been the creation of truly independent and profes- sional media that can successfully exercise their public integrating function. Th e text analyzes diff erent national research projects and publications in the fi eld. Th e fi nal section is dedicated to the experience of the national minority press and the two national public broadcasters — the BNR and the BNT — featuring their problems and achievements.