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Alert

Radio K2 threatened with closure

(IFJ/IFEX) - 14 January 2010 - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its European group, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), today called for fair treatment of Radio K2 by the Supreme Administrative Court of Bulgaria.

"Radio K2 should be granted the chance to exist according to the national broadcasting regulations and we call on Bulgarian regulators and competent bodies to handle its case in a fair and transparent manner that guarantees it is free of political interference," said IFJ General Secretary Aidan White.

Radio K2 has participated actively in the democratic life of Bulgarian society since the presidential elections in 2006. In 2007 Radio K2 first applied for an official license. The Council of Electronic Media approved the programme scheme of K2 when they applied, but the Communications Regulation Commission refused. The Supreme Administrative Court is now asked to take a decision about a potential closure of the radio station.

The IFJ/EFJ members in Bulgaria, the Union of Journalists in Bulgaria (PODKREPA) and the Bulgarian Union of Journalists, are concerned that the treatment of Radio K2 may be politically and economically motivated to defend particular interests and they call for a full and transparent review of the licensing process of the station.

"We do not see any concrete reason or any urgency to force Radio K2 to close down," added White. "The authorities must clearly explain the motivation for their decisions concerning broadcast licensing."