The Council for Electronic Media (CEM) is the new administrative body that will replace the current National Council for Radio and Television (NCRT), according to the amendments to the new media law that Parliament passed last Thursday.

A provision, according to which all newscasts and political or economic programs of the National Radio or TV should present pluralistic viewpoints, proved controversial and raised serious debate before approval.

Members of the United Democratic Forces (UtDF) parliamentary group opposed the new legislative provisions for electing director generals of the national electronic media. The function of the NCRT to elect director generals of the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) and BNT has been transferred to the new CEM. According to the parliamentary decisions, candidates for these positions will be required to have at least five years of experience in radio or television media, but not necessarily in an executive position. In addition, according to the new media law, CEM decisions will be subject to appeal before the Supreme Administrative Court, but the contest of a council order for appointment or dismissal will not stop the execution of the order.

These two provisions raised critical remarks from Blagoi Dimitrov and Petar Zhotev, UtDF MPs, who said that the first one would limit the choice to specific individuals. This is almost like firing current TV boss Liliana Popova and appointing news presenter Dimitar Tsonev, the opposition commented.

The issuing, revoking, transfer or termination of radio and TV licenses will remain among the duties of CEM. The law will come into effect on November 15, if the president does not veto it before then.