Union of  Bulgarian Journalists/UBJ/ is the largest and most authoritative journalist’s organization  in Bulgaria.  The Union is a voluntary association of Bulgarian journalists to protect their own professional, social and trade union rights and interests. The UBJ activity is targeted at the free exercise of the right to seek, receive and impart information, the right of free expression and dissemination a wareness, as well as the  prevention of censorship.

MAIN GOALS

The main goals of the Bulgarian Union of  Journalists are as follows:

1.Promotion and enhancing the role of professional journalism in the society; 2.Adherence to professional standards and rules of professional ethics; 3.Providing and protection the media freedom, independence and autonomy; 4.                     Expressing the common interests of Bulgarian journalists to the government, municipal and business authorities and all other bodies in Bulgaria and abroad; 5.Development and expanding the international cooperation in the field of professional journalism.

ORGANIZATIONAL STATE

TheGoverning body of  UBJ is the Managing Board. The number of all members of the UBJ are about 4500 journalists, united in 156 societies all over the country. The real acting journalists, member of the UBJ are about 1800. Members of UBJ  are also freelancers, retired media-workers, students of journalism etc. About 200 new candidates are applying every year for membership in UBJ.

PROFESSIONAL AND CREATIVE ACTIVITIES

Еvery year, on the occasion of November  1st - the Day of Bulgarian Revival Leaders, UBJ handed the Annual journalism awards,as well as the  highest prize "The Golden Pen". With celebrations -  under the auspice of UNESCO -  in 2014 Union of Bulgarian Journalists marked 170 years Bulgarian journalism and  120 years organized journalistic movement in the country

INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY

Union of Bulgarian Journalists has established contractual relationships with journalists associations from 51 countries of the world. The priorities of the international activities  has always been the relations and cooperation with journalists'unions from the EU-member states and the Balkan countries. UBJ was a partner in several joint projects with the Union of Journalists of Northern Greece, basedinThessalonikiq Serbia, Romania etc. The projects has been was granted by the trans-border cooperation programm - "INTERREG-2." Very fruitful relationship the Union have with "FriedrichEbert" Foundation - Germany. The contacts with journalists  from  several countries are implemented within the events at EuropeanFederation of Journalists and  with International Federation of Journalists. UBJ has a very good relationships and regular exchanging of delegation with EU-member countries, as well as with South Korea, China, and almost all Middle- and Far East countris and their Journalists Associations.
 

SOCIAL AND TRADE-UNION ACTIVITIES

Taking into consideration the traditions and capabilities of the Union, it has assumed also some social and trade-union functions. During a lot of meetings with representatives of the employers, as well as with members of the Executive, legislative and judicial authorities, UBJ has placed the protection of journalistic work and journalistic  rights.Union of Bulgarian Journalistsalso is an owner of several recreation bases  in Varna, Bankya and  Batak. There are wonderful conditions for carrying on different kind of international and national creative events, seminars and conferences.

The UBJ Managing Board President  is Mrs. Snezhana Todorova.

Chief Secretary of the UBJ is Mr. Ivan Varbanov.

January 2018