The caretaker Minister of Innovation and Growth, Irena Mladenova, stated that effectively combating disinformation necessitates a coordinated effort involving the technology sector, the scientific community, and state institutions. Speaking at the conclusion of DisInfoHack 2026 at the GATE Institute at Sofia University, the minister emphasized that these stakeholders must work together to ensure society can make informed decisions and mitigate susceptibility to external influences with unclear objectives. Mladenova noted that initiatives like DisInfoHack hold value not only for their final outcomes but also for the sustained work conducted throughout the process.
She argued that the structure of the hackathon, which incorporates mentorship and extended idea development, contributes significantly to building lasting skills. The minister expressed hope that participants gained a heightened capacity to evaluate the reliability of information circulating in the digital sphere. A primary objective of the initiative, according to the minister, is to build a network and broaden the dissemination of acquired knowledge, urging attendees to share their learning with their professional and social circles.
DisInfoHack is situated within a larger three-year framework known as Countering Disinformation Environment (Ecosystem) in Bulgaria (CoDE). This overarching project aims to build national information resilience through a scientific methodology. CoDE seeks to analyze the Bulgarian information environment, ultimately summarizing effective tools and best practices for the coordinated fight against disinformation.
Topics: #minister #coordinated #fight
It seems a multi-sector approach is necessary to tackle the problem of disinformation, as suggested by the Minister.