The INQ in Bulgaria is a dangerous place
THE INQ'S Bulgarian office in Sofia is probably not in the safest work location in Europe.
According to Reporters without Borders, Bulgaria is ranked a pitiful 51st in its world league tables for nice places for hacks to work.
The best is Iceland although we wouldn't imagine you would get many good stories and the worst is Eritrea.
Bulgaria was considered bad because if the local gangsters or politicians don't like what you write they just beat you up. The report says that in Sofia, journalists can be physically attacked because of their work.
The climate got even worse after charges were withdrawn against police officers who beat up a journalist because he got in their way in May.
This means that any Apple fan boy or Volish hit squad who want to take a crack at an INQ hack would be better off doing so in Bulgaria than anywhere else in Europe.
So far it has been pretty quiet at the Sofia INQ office although the council changed its town plan to allow a developer to put a block of flats on the driveway. µ
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Talking about "European" countries, Albania has got 87-th place (36 places below (read "worse") than Bulgaria), Ukraine - 92-nd, Russia - 144-th!! 
So as I'm living in Russia, very few journalists can really have their own independent opinion on _political_ matters. Cause nobody seems to care what you write in other areas as soon as it doesn't have any connection with "power holders".
Is that US of A is at spot number 48. I get the impression that not everyone would agree with the list.
"Is that US of A is at spot number 48. I get the impression that not everyone would agree with the list."

Why? Are you american? Because like most of you guys you seem to think your country is better than it actually is.
C'mon, that's really funny. I live in Bulgaria and Sofia is a much safer place than London or New York in terms of crime rate etc. 
Mobsters, gangsters and politicians beating up people? Are you sure that this news came in 2007 or 1997?
I am not saying we don't have mobsters, gangsters and politicians - they are just too busy stealing EU money and don't have time to deal with journalists...
So, Bulgaira is a safe place for living, working, but not for driving ;-). 
Driving in Bulgaria is not for Westerners, unless your personal vehicle is a tank or at least a Humvee...
Hot women over there.

Is that worth the risk ... or is it also something to do with the cheap booze?

women ... booze ... journos.

Simple connection really.

<Charlie and Mike start packing>
For all you foreigners, try to drive through this peaceful country, and stay there for a night... if you get out of it's borders with your car, that's because you had to pay some hefty thousand euros (or $, depends on the currency you are carrying) to the ones who stole it. 
It's a common practice. And don't try to get to the police to help you, they would simply connect you with the thieves in order to help you get your car back. 
The thieves are people too, and they need to live a decent life, you know... So please don't be angry for just a nothing - like your car - be glad someone decided your more valuable alive than dead. That's a really breakthrough. ;)
What to say guys ...

I'm really hacked off ...

When I'm reading this I 'm wondering - where I'm living? 

Please, do not believe in this ....

Mobsters, gangsters and politicians beating up people? :-D

Many Regards, from beautifull Bulgaria
Yo, yeah, we ( bulgarians ) are very dangerous :P ...
Come on , let's get seriously...
There's democracy in Bulgaria, there's not such things like " Mobsters, gangsters and politicians beating up people..."
Plus, If Bulgaria is not good place to live, why Germans , Englishman, and people from all over the world come and stay in our "dangerous" country ? 

There will be always some Envious liars...
Check this link to see actually what's Bulgaria ...
http://www.bulgariaphotos.net/

+

http://bulpics.hit.bg/

Най-добре да спра да пиша, че много взех да се ядосвам ...

Have a nice day :)
I will never travel in Bulgaria. I know it isn't a safe place, not sure why people would want to put themselves into danger in such country. Isn't it better off paying a air ticket to Paris... and if you are mobbed there, the person must be a gipsy...