Article 4b. (New, SG No. 109/2020, effective 22.12.2020) (1) Self-regulation and co-regulation
through codes of conduct and standards, where practicable and appropriate, shall be encouraged. The
codes of conduct and the standards include, but are not be limited to:
1. Code of Ethics of the Bulgarian Media, developed by the National Council for Journalism Ethics
Foundation;
2. Uniform Standard for Volume Level Regulation in Advertising, adopted in the industry;
3. National Ethical Standards for Advertising and Commercial Communication, developed by the
National Council for Self-regulation Association in accordance with the Code of Conduct referred to in
Article 17a (3) herein;
4. other standards implementing Directive 2010/13/EU, as amended by Directive (EU) 2018/1808.
(2) The codes of conduct and the standards and the implementation thereof must comply with the
following requirements:
1. be broadly accepted by the main stakeholders;
2. clearly and unambiguously set out their objectives;
3. provide for a mechanism for regular, transparent and independent monitoring and periodic evaluation
of the achievement of the objectives aimed at;
4. provide for effective enforcement, including a procedure for amendment, and effective and
proportionate sanctions.
(3) Media service providers shall be obliged to comply with the provisions of the instruments referred to
in Paragraph (1).
(4) Video-sharing platform service providers shall be obliged to comply with the provisions of the
National Ethical Standards referred to in Item 3 of Paragraph (1).
(5) Self-regulation through codes of conduct developed by media service providers, video-sharing
platform service providers or organisations representing the said providers, in cooperation, as necessary,
with other sectors such as industry, trade, professional and consumer associations or organisations, shall
be encouraged. The said codes must be such that they are broadly accepted by the main stakeholders at
Union level and must comply with the requirements of Items 2 to 4 of Paragraph (2). The Union codes
of conduct shall be without prejudice to the national codes of conduct.
(6) If the Republic of Bulgaria exercises the freedom thereof to adopt more detailed or stricter rules in
compliance with Directive 2010/13/EU, as amended by Directive (EU) 2018/1808, and European Union
law, and if the Council for Electronic Media assesses that any code of conduct or parts thereof have
proven not to be sufficiently effective, the Council may require media service providers falling under
their [sic] jurisdiction to comply with the relevant rules. The Council for Electronic Media shall
furthermore inform the European Commission of the rules within one month.
Section II
Provisions Applicable to Media Services
(New heading, SG No. 109/2020, effective 22.12.2020)
Article 5. (Supplemented, SG No. 79/2000, SG No. 93/2005, amended, SG No. 12/2010) (1) This
Act guarantees the freedom of media service providers and of the activities thereof from political and
economic interference.
(2) Media service censorship in any form whatsoever shall be inadmissible.
(3) (Repealed, SG No. 109/2020, effective 22.12.2020).
(4) (Amended, SG No. 8/2017, effective 24.01.2017, repealed, SG No. 109/2020, effective 22.12.2020).
(5) (New, SG No. 8/2017, effective 24.01.2017, repealed, SG No. 109/2020, effective 22.12.2020).
(6) (New, SG No. 8/2017, effective 24.01.2017, repealed, SG No. 109/2020, effective 22.12.2020).
(7) (Renumbered from Paragraph (5), amended, SG No. 8/2017, effective 24.01.2017, repealed, SG No.
109/2020, effective 22.12.2020).
стр. 4 от 80