Bulgarian caretaker Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynsky stated on Monday that disinformation extends beyond mere fake news, asserting that it actively undermines trust, divides societies, and weakens democracy. Speaking at the opening of the DisInfoHack 2026 final event at the Big Data for Smart Society Institute (GATE) Institute of the St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, Neynsky emphasized the multifaceted approach required to combat such threats. She asserted that countering disinformation necessitates not only technological solutions but also critical thinking, comprehensive knowledge, and the willingness to question established narratives.
Neynsky addressed the audience, noting that the younger generation’s skepticism toward pre-packaged answers represents a significant strength. She stated that Bulgaria and Europe require young people who are curious, confident, and free, underscoring the importance of their role. The Foreign Minister further elaborated that national security is contingent not only on physical borders but also on a society’s capacity to discern truth.
“That security begins with you,” she concluded. DisInfoHack is an initiative stemming from the three-year project Countering Disinformation Environment (Ecosystem) in Bulgaria (CoDE). The project aims to enhance information resilience by employing a scientific methodology to research and analyze Bulgaria’s information landscape.
Through this effort, the program seeks to establish best practices and tools for the effective management of disinformation, highlighting the crucial role of an informed citizenry in the stability of the state.
Topics: #undermines #democracy #foreign
