The FINANCIAL -- The EU's commissioner for new technologies called Thursday for more transparency in the ownership and financing of Bulgarian media outlets, after journalists complained of interference.

On a visit to Sofia, Neelie Kroes said she had discussed the issue with Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and "he did agree with me that there is not enough transparency in Bulgaria concerning those ownerships and financing of media in Bulgaria."

"The next step would be an effort to increase transparency," she said, adding that Borisov had expressed his full support.

She did not however elaborate on how to achieve this goal, EUbusiness reportes.

Reporters without Borders ranked Bulgaria 80th in its Press Freedom Index this year, down from 35th place in 2006, citing "targeted attacks and death threats against journalists" as well as "concerns about print media pluralism."

"When Reporters without Borders rates Bulgaria so poorly, then there is an issue worth investigating," Kroes said Thursday.

Earlier this month, 30 Bulgarian journalists published an open letter to Kroes, complaining of "the corporate and political control of information, as well as cases of violence against journalists."

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