Bulgarian caretaker Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynsky stated that disinformation poses a threat beyond mere fake news, arguing that it actively undermines societal trust, causes division, 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 that combating such threats requires more than technological solutions. “Combating disinformation demands critical thinking, knowledge, and the courage to question established narratives,” Neynsky addressed the audience.
She commended the younger generation, noting their inherent strength in not accepting pre-packaged answers. She stated that this curiosity and confidence are crucial assets for both Bulgaria and Europe, underscoring the importance of their role. The Foreign Minister added that national security is not solely defined by physical borders.
“A country’s security depends equally on society’s collective capacity to identify truth, and that security begins with you,” she asserted. The event itself is part of the Countering Disinformation Environment (Ecosystem) in Bulgaria (CoDE) project. This initiative employs a scientific approach to analyze Bulgaria’s information landscape, with the goal of building best practices and tools for the effective control of disinformation.
Neynsky’s remarks highlighted the critical link between informed citizenship and national stability within the contemporary geopolitical environment.
Topics: #undermines #democracy #foreign
