Wednesday, 20 December 2023, 10:00 – 14:30
Sofia, 106 Vitosha Blvd., Rosslyn Central Park Hotel Sofia
BOLD (Bulgarian Community for Liberal Democracy) and the Access to Information Programme (AIP) Foundation are organizing a conference entitled “Misinformation: Challenges and Solutions in Search of Truth” on 20 December 2023 (Wednesday) in Sofia. The event is part of the series “Bulgarian Roads in the Shadow of War”.
Disinformation, influenced by hybrid warfare, the development of high technology and social media, is a leading topic worldwide. Its importance has grown since the outbreak of Russia’s war against Ukraine, due to its role in shaping public opinion. In Bulgaria, disinformation has become a suspiciously easy explanation for complex processes, such as the persistence of sympathy towards Russia. But what is disinformation? Should it be curbed or prosecuted? If so, in what cases? Are there solid legislative and policy principles already in place to regulate it? How should this be done in an online environment? The conference will seek to answer these questions in the Bulgarian context.
Panel 1: Disinformation in Bulgaria – Historical Context and Development
Ivan Radev: The historical context of information warfare: the roots of disinformation tactics used by Russia and other anti-democratic regimes and their development after the outbreak of war
Dimitar Vatsov: The media environment in Bulgaria and its vulnerabilities: Why and how the media environment in Bulgaria may be vulnerable to disinformation campaigns; the role of social media
Peter Kanchev: Cybersecurity and Resilience: On the importance of cybersecurity measures for protecting critical infrastructure and public institutions from cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns.
Panel 2: Combating Disinformation: Legislation and Technology
Alexander Kashumov and Stefan Angelov: European regulations on disinformation: European policies and regulations in countering disinformation, including their role in Bulgaria
Krassimir Kanev: Freedom of expression: possible restrictions on the right to freedom of expression; proportionality and circumstances allowing them.
Dimitrina Petrova: International good practices: principles on which legislation for regulating misinformation in the online environment should be based
Participation is free, but places are limited. Please register here.
The event is held with the financial support of the Active Citizens Bulgaria Fund (www.activecitizensfund.bg) under the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area.
