The caretaker Minister of Innovation and Growth, Irena Mladenova, emphasized that effectively combating disinformation requires a highly coordinated effort involving the technology sector, the scientific community, and governmental bodies. Speaking at the conclusion of DisInfoHack 2026 at the GATE Institute at Sofia University, the minister noted that these stakeholders must collaborate to ensure society can make informed decisions and resist external influences with unclear objectives. Mladenova highlighted that initiatives like DisInfoHack are valuable not only for their immediate outcomes but also for the sustained, long-term work they facilitate.
She stated that the program structure, which involves mentorship and prolonged idea development, is crucial for building sustainable skills. The goal, she explained, is to equip participants with the ability to accurately assess the reliability of information encountered in the modern media flow. A key objective of the initiative, according to the minister, is establishing a robust network and broadening the dissemination of acquired knowledge.
She urged all participants to share their learnings with their professional circles to maximize the project’s impact. DisInfoHack operates as part of a broader, three-year project titled Countering Disinformation Environment (Ecosystem) in Bulgaria (CoDE). This larger effort employs a scientific approach to analyze Bulgaria’s information landscape.
Its ultimate aim is to identify and summarize best practices and tools necessary for the effective counteraction of disinformation, thereby enhancing overall information resilience.
Topics: #minister #coordinated #fight
