Elza Ibroscheva and Maria Raicheva-Stover

The Politics of Hate:
Media and the Rise to Power of Ultra-Nationalism in Bulgaria

Elza Ibroscheva
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Maria Raicheva-Stover
Washburn University

This paper uses a cultural critical approach to examine the role of mass media in the electoral success of the Bulgarian ultra-nationalist party Ataka in 2005. Arguing that it is important to recognize the role media play in fuelling sentiments of ethnic intolerance, this paper conducts a historical and cultural examination of the factors leading to the ascent of right-wing nationalism to the top echelons of political power in Bulgaria to conclude that Ataka’s rise to prominence was largely aided by its skilfully crafted media blitz. This study further supports the thesis that the media are indeed categorically involved in creating ‘imagined communities’ and often are critically instrumental in fuelling nationalistic sentiments and ethnic strife.