Fake news

A recent study by Alpha Research, published in the report "Social Vulnerability and Propaganda" for the Foundation for Humanitarian and Social Research, reveals a concerning trend: young Bulgarians, along with those over 30, are largely disinterested in political news, both domestic and foreign.

Brussels has called upon 15 prominent companies, including Lidl, Coca-Cola, and L'Oréal, to halt their advertising campaigns in pro-Kremlin media outlets across Bulgaria. This directive, outlined in a letter from European Parliament members, aims to curb the spread of harmful misinformation and propaganda.

Turkey is definitely not one of those countries that excel as standard-bearers when it comes to balanced reporting and media freedoms or media literacy. On the contrary, it usually appears in the international press for its - many - media deficiencies, whether it be censorship cases, propaganda-induced fake news or media ownership concentration issues.

As it was said, various hacker groups breached security systems, accessed confidential information and demanded ransoms. What should be pointed out is that, according to the information, there is no evidence that these attacks actually took place.

Whether the prime minister's outburst in Parliament on Thursday during a debate about the government's handling of the wildfires was staged or spontaneous, it had its significance. He accused the leader of nationalist Greek Solution of peddling fake news and conspiracy theories. "You say whatever nonsense comes into your head. Enough.

In a statement sent to the media, the Embassy of Ukraine in Bulgaria categorically stated that Kyiv is making all possible efforts to restore peace.

A phony social media account spread fake news on Wednesday that famous Greek singer Nana Mouskouri has passed away.

The gruesome news was announced in a fake Twitter account which carried the name and photo of the acting Minister of Culture and Sports Giorgos Koumendakis, who later posted that the fake account was created by Italian writer Tommaso Debenedetti.

The Culture Ministry's website and computer systems have been down since Wednesday morning because of a cyberattack, authorities have announced.

The website and systems were taken down for security reasons after the attack, while tne ministry and the National Cybersecurity Authority are investigating. Authorities say they have found no stole data so far.

The government of Sarajevo Canton, one of ten in Bosnia's Bosniak- and Croat-dominated Federation entity, has introduced a new draft Law on Public Order and Peace that would impose penalties of up to 2,100 Bosnian marks, around 1,000 euros, for spreading fake news. 

In the wake of regional and global political uncertainties, fake news in Kosovo has gone to another level, a BIRN-organised conference on the eve of International Fact-Checking Day, April 2, concluded on Thursday.