Against the backdrop of dynamic and pivotal processes in world politics - the topic of disinformation on important topics is becoming increasingly sensitive. Data from the Center for the Study of Democracy show that the manipulation of public opinion is a key tool for achieving geopolitical goals.
Disinformation is a way of interfering in electoral processes, as well as undermining trust in major institutions that guarantee international legal order. What are the consequences and is there a solution?
About 30% of Bulgarians unreservedly believe in the pro-Kremlin narratives spread in our country. This is shown by various studies by the Center for the Study of Democracy. Disinformation is among the main tools that undemocratic countries use to impose their own geopolitical ambitions. Disinformation campaigns are fueling anti-European sentiment and putting pressure on institutions, which is slowing down or blocking important reforms for the country. Experts agree that this is a huge threat to our national security.
Hundreds of pro-Kremlin narratives on important topics have been replacing facts and creating a false reality for years. However, the way in which this is happening is gradually changing.
Todor Galev - Director of Research, Center for the Study of Democracy:
"False, factually incorrect statements are spreading less and less, while statements that are taken out of context, that are negative for the relevant topic, are gaining momentum. Mostly promoted, unfortunately, by Bulgarian politicians or political analysts".
One of the ways to manipulate public opinion is to speak primarily negatively about a given topic, as happened with the Schengen topic in 2024. It was associated with various negative images, such as the country turning into a refugee camp. These statements did not become facts, but they created attitudes. In this way, disinformation begins to overlap with propaganda.
Todor Galev - Director of Research, Center for the Study of Democracy:
"This type of claims, which until recently relied on gross falsification, outright lies, have begun to decrease, a trend of more careful modification of information, manipulation by taking it out of context, by emphasizing negative characteristics has begun to emerge".
Analysts from the Center for the Study of Democracy have conducted a comparative analysis between Bulgaria and Romania on the way in which certain narratives are spread.
Goran Georgiev - Senior Analyst at the Center for the Study of Democracy: "There is a comparable volume of content. The big difference is in the size of the audiences. sources systematically spreading false information are many times more popular in Bulgaria than in Romania".
The data show that Bulgaria is one of the most vulnerable countries in Europe to pro-Russian propaganda, but at the same time, there is a lack of a unified strategy of the institutions.