CSO, Media and Communications Professionals from Dupnitsa and Varna (BG) Discuss Countering Radicalization
On December 13, 2022, EI representatives Dr. Borislav Mavrov and Ognian Boyadjiev introduced the CounteR Project to journalists, communications professionals, and civil society from two Bulgarian regions – Dupnitsa (SW) and Varna (E).
During an event, entitled “The EU Topics in Bulgarian Media – How to Regain the Audience’s Trust”, Dr. Mavrov and Mr. Boyadjiev took the opportunity to introduce the CounteR project’s goals, objectives, expected results, and consortium partners.
The attendees discussed the threats of online radicalization of vulnerable groups, particularly youth and unemployed individuals with low levels of education and income, living in remote areas. The conversation focused on the innovative approaches, used by local media outlets and CSOs to regain the audience’s trust – such as debunking misinformation and disseminating fact-checks of subjects that are likely to mislead listeners, viewers and readers. In this context, the EI representatives talked about the role of AI in detecting radical content online from social media and briefed the audience of the CounteR Project’s publications and activities in this domain.
The event, hosted by the Europe Direct Centres in Dupnitsa and Varna, was broadcast live in Zoom in order to connect participants from across Bulgaria’s regions.
