Prof. Sylvia Ilieva, the director of the GATE Institute, stated that disinformation should be understood not as a crisis, but as a constant and evolving process. She made these remarks during the concluding event of DisInfoHack 2026 at Sofia University St Kliment Ohridski.
Ilieva emphasized that the overarching objective of the CoDE project—Countering Disinformation Environment (Ecosystem) in Bulgaria—was to establish a sustainable network and ecosystem for combating disinformation. She noted that what began as a large-scale ambition has materialized into a tangible direction through the combined efforts of all participating partners. According to the director, contemporary disinformation tactics extend beyond mere textual content, now incorporating images, video, and materials generated by artificial intelligence.
This evolution significantly accelerates the spread of false information and complicates mitigation efforts. Initiatives like DisInfoHack, which she characterized as a “slow hackathon,” are deemed instrumental in developing a sustainable counter-strategy. These events require participants to analyze real-world cases and collaborate with experts across diverse sectors, including journalism, technology, and established institutions.
Ilieva highlighted that this cross-sector interaction is crucial because it forges a genuine ecosystem of knowledge and necessary skills for effective counteraction. The CoDE project itself aims to strengthen Bulgaria’s information resilience by scientifically researching the nation’s information environment and compiling best practices and tools. Ilieva concluded by expressing optimism that the initiative will continue to expand, drawing in an increasing number of participants annually.
Topics: #process #gate #director
It’s helpful to view disinformation as a continuous process rather than a sudden crisis.