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The main misinformation messages: Only Russia will save us
The media that were included in the study were divided into main and “problematic” (with a history of publishing manipulative messages and external influence), and the profiles of influential people, user groups and pages aimed at polarizers were examined. The pages of all major parties and the most popular politicians were also observed in the analysis. A special group of pages devoted to the discussion of the topic COVID-19 was studied.
The predominant disinformation messages related to COVID-19 are:
- “Certificates are meaningless because vaccinated people become infected and spread the virus as much as unvaccinated people.”
- “certificates are a form of dictatorship or fascism”
- “vaccines have been developed for a short period of time and are therefore untested and dangerous.”
- “The pandemic was invented by politicians and pharmaceutical companies with malicious purposes.”
The most popular messages related to the European Green Pact present it as a “utopian economically unfeasible dream” that is responsible for the energy crisis. Six of the ten most popular posts on the subject are published by pro-Russian sources, who very often advocate pro-Russian ones as well. The common theme between them is opposition to the European Green Pact, often through manipulative explanations of high prices, and strong support for Russian energy projects, such as the Belene NPP, are part of the study’s findings. Six of the ten most popular posts on the subject were published by pro-Russian sources, who often advocate pro-Russian ones as well: the official BSP television, Pogled Info and Epicenter.
As part of the survey, a public opinion poll was conducted (among 800 citizens over the age of 18, in the period October 22 – November 8). It shows:
- About a third of Bulgarians believe that COVID-19 is a fabrication aimed at increasing the profits of pharmaceutical companies.
- Over 40% believe that COVID-19 vaccines are dangerous and untested.
- The proportion of non-believers in coronavirus and vaccine efficacy is stable in all age groups
- More than 40 percent believe that the statistics on deaths from the virus have been adjusted.
- More than a third of the population also supports the conspiracy thesis that measures against the spread of the COVID-19 infection are a political conspiracy encouraged by foreign forces.
According to the data, skepticism is similar to European Green Pact. The lack of awareness may explain some of these opinions, said expert Martin Vladimirov of the Center for the Study of Democracy:
- Nearly 40 percent of respondents say that only the Green Deal is to blame for the increase in electricity and gas prices.
- Every second Bulgarian agrees with the often spread myth that there will be a power regime when the coal power plants are closed.
- Nearly two-thirds of people continue to support the construction of the Belene NPP and Turkish Stream.
- 45 percent also see Russia as the only possible savior of Europe in times of energy crisis.
According to the analysis of the election campaign in the online space, the pages of the main parties take a major part of the political discussion on social networks. However, new movements such as “We continue to change”, as well as nationalist parties, especially “Vazrazhdane”, show a steady increase in the number of followers and interactions (likes, comments and shares), said expert Goran Georgiev.
The Center for the Study of Democracy calls on the Bulgarian media and the government, as well as civil society organizations, to take urgent coordinated measures to better protect democratic debates from propaganda and misinformation. The Center pointed out the need for working independent institutions, especially in the media sector, to serve as a corrective and to moderate the debate on social media.
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