During her address at the DisInfoHack 2026 final event, held at the Big Data for Smart Society Institute (GATE) at the St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, Bulgarian caretaker Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynsky clarified that disinformation represents a threat far exceeding mere “fake news.” She stated that such content actively undermines public trust, contributes to societal division, and weakens the foundations of democracy. Speaking to attendees, Neynsky emphasized that combating disinformation requires more than just technological solutions; it demands critical thinking, deep knowledge, and the courage to question established narratives. She commended the youth generation, characterizing them as a source of strength for Bulgaria and Europe due to their inherent curiosity and confidence.
The minister stressed the critical nature of this intellectual defense, asserting, “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.”
The DisInfoHack initiative is part of the larger Countering Disinformation Environment (Ecosystem) in Bulgaria (CoDE) project. This program utilizes a scientific approach to research and analyze Bulgaria’s information environment, aiming to develop best practices and tools for effective control of disinformation. Neynsky’s comments underscored the growing recognition that safeguarding national security involves bolstering the public’s collective ability to discern factual information in a complex digital landscape.
Topics: #undermines #democracy #foreign
It appears the focus is shifting to the systemic threat posed by disinformation rather than just individual instances of fake news.