Bulgarian caretaker Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynsky stated that disinformation constitutes a threat that extends beyond mere “fake news,” noting that it actively undermines public trust, fractures societies, and weakens democratic institutions. These remarks were made during the opening of the DisInfoHack 2026 final event, held at the Big Data for Smart Society Institute (GATE) at the St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia. Addressing attendees, Neynsky emphasized that combating disinformation requires more than technological solutions; it necessitates critical thinking, deep knowledge, and the willingness to question established narratives.
She commended the younger generation for its skepticism, stating that this inherent curiosity is a significant national strength. She asserted that Bulgaria and Europe require citizens who are curious, confident, and intellectually free, highlighting the crucial role of the audience. Furthermore, the minister addressed the scope of national security, advising that a country’s safety is determined not only by its physical borders but by the populace’s collective capacity to identify truth.
She stressed that this foundation of security begins with the individual citizen. The DisInfoHack initiative operates under the framework of the three-year project Countering Disinformation Environment (Ecosystem) in Bulgaria (CoDE). This project aims to bolster information resilience by applying scientific research methods to analyze Bulgaria’s information environment, thereby developing best practices and tools for effectively managing disinformation.
The focus remains on strengthening the intellectual defense mechanisms of the nation.
Topics: #undermines #democracy #foreign
Bulgarian caretaker Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynsky asserted that disinformation poses a threat that surpasses the definition of simple “fake news,” arguing that it actively erodes public trust, cau