Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia (LW4DAF), who writes:

Hi Thomas: I’m sending you what I received today from Radio Bulgaria.
The petition can be read in Spanish, English or Bulgarian.

Dear Friends:

We need your support for a noble and responsible cause.

Radio Bulgaria, which belongs to National Radio of Bulgaria, is the only means of communication that presents the image of Bulgaria before the world in nine languages, as well as in Bulgarian language with programs destined to the Bulgarian communities abroad. Today Radio Bulgaria faces the risk of being in history!

We urge you to support the efforts of editors, journalists, translators and institutions against this destructive act, contrary to the interests of society and statehood of Bulgaria, signing our request to save our, and yours also Radio Bulgaria.

Here is the address of the website with the request: http://www.saveradiobulgaria.com/en

Sign, please.

Spanish Language Section of Radio Bulgaria

Many thanks, David!

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia (LW4DAF), who provides the following update regarding the closure of several Radio Bulgaria language services:

http://bnr.bg/en/post/100837500/to-terminate-radio-bulgaria-or-not-the-jury-is-still-out

The Bulgarian National Radio`s Horizont Channel aired an interview, live, with BNR Director General Alexander Velev and the chair of Radio Bulgaria`s editorial staff panel Daniela Konstantinova on the plans by the BNR management to close down Radio Bulgaria.

Alexander Velev stated there was a little interest in the content offered by Radio Bulgaria, adding there was need to vacate posts for new appointments at the BNR. Daniela Konstantinova on her part expressed concerns that by closing down Radio Bulgaria, the BNR will be deprived of the unique advantage it now has as an institution of presenting a balanced picture of the country abroad.

She added she disagreed there was little interest in Radio Bulgaria, adducing examples of Radio Bulgaria content being extensively republished by other websites, where it generates a great many views, and shared in the social media. Asked whether he was inclined to reconsider the intention of terminating Radio Bulgaria, the BNR Director General stated that you cannot go against reality. Konstantinova said she expected the president, parliament and other institutions, addressed by the Radio Bulgaria staff in connection with the planned closure, to take note of their arguments. In conclusion, the Horizont radio host Tanya Velichkova stated she expected the debate to remain open.

The Open letter by the Radio Bulgaria editorial staff panel is available online on the website of the Union of Bulgarian Journalists.

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia (LW4DAF), who writes:

Today the listeners of the Spanish service of Radio Bulgaria found a sad new in the website:

http://bnr.bg/es/post/100837204

After the cessation of Radio Bulgaria short-wave broadcasts in 2012, the time has come when our programs will no longer be heard on the web. As of June 1, 2017, by decision of the Bulgarian National Radio Directive, of which Radio Bulgaria is part, the voice of this station will be extinguished. However, they will be able to continue reading our articles and to know the news about the happening in this country in our web site during a couple of months more.

For us journalists from Radio Bulgaria, programs abroad have meant much more than conventional notions about radio journalism, since it has been our mission, our link with the world, our relationship with foreigners eager to know more about the History, culture and traditions of Bulgaria.

Thank you for having been with us for all these years.

Please try to write to the radio and authorities for supporting to RB.
Yours from Argentina

Many thanks for passing along this news, David.

This reminds me of the final broadcast of Radio Bulgaria which I recorded over five years ago. Hard to believe it was that long ago:

Final Transmission of Radio Bulgaria

(Source: Radio Bulgaria via David Iurescia, LW4DAF)

The Council for Electronic Media elected Alexander Velev as the new Director General of the Bulgarian National Radio. Velev was elected out of 12 candidates for the position. Alexander Velev has already been at the head of the Radio in the period 1998-2001. During the hearing at the CEM he suggested that mass media experts from outside the radio should be invited to join the Programme Council of BNR, sociologists among others. He also suggested the creation of a joint newsroom for all BNR programmes, regional radio stations included. Alexander Velev opposed the idea for the merging of the Bulgarian National Radio with the Bulgarian National Television with the argument that it would result in turning the BNR into a media of lesser importance and not into a media equal to the BNT.