In an era marked by increasing foreign and domestic challenges to democratic values and systems, Southeast Europe and the Black Sea region stand as some of the most vulnerable to anti-democratic manipulation and hybrid warfare. Recognizing this urgent need for action, the “Sofia Information Integrity Forum” convened from 7–9 November 2024 to discuss regional strategies for building information space resilience. The forum was opened by key figures, including Atanas Zapryanov, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria; Dana Spinant, Director-General at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Communication; Todor Galev, Director of Research at the Center for the Study of Democracy; Dimitar Vatsov, President of HSS Foundation; and Keith Peter Kiely from the GATE Institute at Sofia University. The gathering aimed to bring together policymakers, researchers, and civil society to address challenges specific to the region and foster collaborative solutions.
The forum highlighted the threats posed by authoritarian powers using disinformation and hybrid warfare to destabilize the region. The illegal annexation of Crimea and the war in Ukraine emphasized the urgency of counteracting these influences. Speakers at the forum highlighted that building a resilient information space requires a whole-of-society approach. They underscored the importance of immediate action, collaboration, and fostering an environment where truth prevails over disinformation. It was also emphasized that democracy cannot thrive without joint efforts to protect information integrity.
Highlights from the opening
Minister Atanas Zapryanov
"Being resilient is a precondition for being able to deter and defend against any potential aggressor. This resilience must be cultivated at the state level and reinforced through the active participation of civil society, media, and academia."
Director Dana Spinant
"All actions that we take in the European Union with regards to disinformation are done with the objective of respecting free speech and the freedom of information. These principles form the bedrock of our democratic responses."
Dr. Todor Galev
"Countering foreign influence must become the cornerstone of all our activities. This is essential because such influence can escalate rapidly into military aggression, as has been demonstrated by the example of Ukraine. We must learn from these situations and fortify our democratic institutions."
