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 the state. Speaking at the conclusion of DisInfoHack 2026 at the GATE Institute at Sofia University on Monday, Mladenova characterized these stakeholders as essential components that must be connected to enable society to make informed decisions and reduce vulnerability to external influences with unclear objectives. The Minister highlighted that initiatives like DisInfoHack are valuable not only for their immediate outcomes but also for the sustained effort underpinning them.
According to Mladenova, the format of DisInfoHack, which involves mentorship and an extended process of idea development, fosters the creation of tangible solutions and visible results in countering false information. She noted that this process aids in building sustainable skills, expressing hope that participants have enhanced their capacity to discern reliable information within the current information flow. A primary objective of the initiative, Mladenova emphasized, is the establishment of a network and the broadening of knowledge dissemination.
She urged participants to share their acquired learning with their professional networks and friends to amplify the project’s impact. DisInfoHack is part of a larger three-year project in Bulgaria called Countering Disinformation Environment (Ecosystem) in Bulgaria (CoDE). This overarching effort aims to build information resilience through a scientific methodology by studying and analyzing the information environment in Bulgaria, ultimately compiling best practices and tools for effective counteraction against disinformation.
Topics: #minister #coordinated #fight
A coordinated national effort sounds like the right approach to tackling disinformation.
What specific roles does the technology sector and scientific community need to play in the coordinated effort against disinformation?