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 state institutions. Speaking at the conclusion of DisInfoHack 2026 at the GATE Institute at Sofia University, the minister emphasized that these stakeholders must work together to enable society to make informed decisions and reduce vulnerability to external influences with unclear objectives. Mladenova highlighted that initiatives like DisInfoHack are valuable not solely for their immediate outcomes but for the sustained, long-term development process they facilitate.
According to the minister, the structure of DisInfoHack, which involves mentorship and prolonged idea development, is crucial for building sustainable skills in countering disinformation. She expressed confidence that participants gained improved abilities to distinguish reliable information within the current information flow. A primary goal of the initiative, she noted, is the establishment of a robust network and the expansion of shared knowledge.
The minister urged attendees to disseminate their learning to colleagues and friends to broaden the project’s impact. DisInfoHack operates as part of the three-year Countering Disinformation Environment (Ecosystem) project in Bulgaria (CoDE). This broader effort employs a scientific methodology to study and analyze the nation’s information environment.
Ultimately, the project aims to synthesize best practices and effective tools to bolster information resilience and strengthen the collective fight against disinformation.
Topics: #minister #coordinated #fight
A coordinated national effort sounds essential, but implementation will be the real challenge.
What specific roles are envisioned for the technology sector, scientific community, and state institutions in this coordinated effort?