The DisInfoHack 2026 final convened at Sofia University’s GATE Institute, bringing together 40 students from over 12 universities, both domestic and international. The event focused on presenting analyses of disinformation narratives and developing proposals to strengthen information resilience within Bulgaria. The initiative, managed by St.
Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia through the GATE Institute, is part of the three-year CoDE project, integrating research with practical skills training to help youth identify misleading content in digital media. During the final, participants presented findings across six critical domains: elections, conflicts, ecology, migration, patriotism, and crises. Dignitaries speaking at the event emphasized the critical nature of media literacy.
Sofia University Rector Prof. Georgi Valchev stressed the necessity of critical thinking to differentiate genuine information from manipulation. Caretaker Innovation and Growth Minister Irena Mladenova highlighted that combating disinformation requires coordinated action among the state, scientific bodies, and the technology sector.
Similarly, Caretaker Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynsky warned that disinformation undermines societal trust and weakens democracy, asserting that national security depends on a society’s ability to recognize truth. Experts noted that the challenge is ongoing, with Prof. Sylvia Ilieva pointing out that disinformation is an evolving process increasingly involving AI-generated media.
Caretaker Electronic Governance Minister Georgi Sharkov underscored the need for timely assessment against cyber threats. Overall, the speakers stressed that effective countermeasures require robust cooperation between academia, experts, and institutions. The successful model is slated for international expansion, with plans to implement it in Poland later this year.
Topics: #final #students #disinformation
