Bulgarian caretaker Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynsky stated that disinformation poses a threat beyond mere “fake news,” asserting that it actively undermines public trust, fosters societal division, and weakens the foundations of democracy. These remarks were made during the opening of the DisInfoHack 2026 final event at the Big Data for Smart Society Institute (GATE) of the St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia. Neynsky addressed the attendees, emphasizing that combating disinformation requires more than technological solutions; it demands critical thinking, deep knowledge, and the willingness to question established narratives.
She praised the younger generation for its inherent skepticism, noting, “You are a generation that does not accept ready-made answers, and that is your strength. Bulgaria and Europe need exactly such young people: curious, confident and free, which is why your role is so important.”
Speaking from her capacity as a foreign official, she linked national stability to informational integrity. “As foreign minister, I can tell you that a country’s security depends not only on its borders but also on society’s ability to identify the truth, and that security begins with you,” she added.
The event itself is part of the Countering Disinformation Environment (Ecosystem) in Bulgaria (CoDE) project. This three-year initiative aims to bolster information resilience by employing a scientific approach to analyze Bulgaria’s current information environment. Through this work, the project seeks to develop best practices and tools for the effective management and control of disinformation threats, highlighting the critical role of civic awareness in national security.
Topics: #undermines #democracy #foreign
This raises important points about the current state of media literacy and civic engagement.