Bulgarian-Romanian Observatory of Digital Media
What is BROD?
The Bulgarian-Romanian Observatory of Digital Media aims to create a multinational, multi-stakeholder, and multidisciplinary regional hub for detection, analysis and combating disinformation circulating in Bulgaria and Romania. Such an observatory is urgently needed and very relevant in the region, which due to the poor media freedom and low citizen media and information literacy is highly prone to coordinated internal and external disinformation campaigns aiming at the EU. [+]
News and Events
Bulgarian media: TikTok has deleted over 423,000 fake profiles linked to Bulgaria
The popular social network TikTok has deleted over 423,000 fake profiles linked to Bulgaria between July and December 2024, according to a new six-month report submitted to the European Commission, Bulgarian media reports. [+]
Several media literacy activities in the frame of BROD.
In March, April 2025 BROD partner AFP took part to several media literacy activities
Several media literacy activities in the frame of BROD. [+]
Media literacy - The Nordic formula for a sustainable society
In an era of disinformation and digital noise, media literacy is a key tool that empowers people to make informed choices, develop critical thinking, and uphold democratic values. This event brings together experts, policymakers, educators, and youth leaders to explore the best practices in media literacy from Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Sweden. [+]
iStock GettyImages © PerlaStudio
The Code of Conduct on Disinformation
On 13 February 2025, the Commission and the European Board for Digital Services endorsed the official integration of the voluntary Code of Practice on Disinformation into the framework of the Digital Services Act (DSA). [+]
New initiative against disinformation on the Balkans
A new initiative - a creation of a Center for Information, Democracy, and Citizenship (CIDC) - is convening a Balkan-focused cohort of civil society leaders, media professionals, fact-checkers, academic researchers, and practitioners. [+]
New AFP training in the frame of BROD project
The AFP's third fact-checking training will be delivered in a hybrid format in March in Sofia and Bucarest. [+]
Photo BTA
Bulgarians against vandalism of "Vazrazhdane"
The Sofia District Prosecutor's Office (SPO) has charged five people - four of them adults, one minor - for hooligan acts that are particularly audacious and cynical. Some of them were accompanied by resistance against a government body with functions of maintaining public order in front of the headquarters of the European Parliament and the European Commission on Saturday, 22 February 2025. This was announced at a briefing by Sofia Deputy District Prosecutor Atanas Dotsinski in connection with the escalation of the "Vazrazhdane" protest against the euro. The penalty provided for in the law is up to five years for adults and up to two years after the reduction for minors, he said. [+]
Commission endorses the integration of the voluntary Code of Practice on Disinformation into the Digital Services Act
The Commission and the European Board for Digital Services endorsed the integration of the voluntary Code of Practice on Disinformation into the framework of the Digital Services Act (DSA). This integration will make the Code a benchmark for determining platforms' compliance with the DSA. [+]
BROD stands with AEJ in its support for the valuable work of fact-checkers
The Bulgarian-Romanian Observatory on Digital Media stands with AEJ in its support for the valuable work of fact-checkers in helping to inform a more accurate informational environment. We also stand with and support our colleague Associate Professor Ralitsa Kovacheva and the Factcheck Bulgaria team. Regardless of our political viewpoints and beliefs, it is important to have respectful dialogue and exchange which is not based on threatening language and behaviour. [+]
Undermining democracy: The weaponization of social media in Romania’s 2024 elections
The 2024 Romanian elections marked a pivotal moment for European democracy, revealing how social media platforms, foreign interference, and state-backed disinformation campaigns exploited vulnerabilities in digital governance. Analysis uncovered a surge in conspiracy theories, anti-Western rhetoric, and electoral discrediting narratives, amplified through social media. Despite increased awareness, platform safeguards remained inadequate, underscoring the urgent need for multi-stakeholder reforms to protect democratic processes from manipulative influences. [+]
Image source: Canva
Overview of propaganda and false narratives circulating on November 30 and December 1 on social media
From November 30 to December 1, a wave of disinformation and propaganda was flagged across TikTok and Meta. Narratives included allegations of voting fraud, anti-EU and anti-Ukraine rhetoric, LGBTQ+ misinformation targeting progressive candidate Elena Lasconi, and conspiracy theories portraying Romania as a pawn in foreign conflicts. Deepfakes, trolling campaigns, and the strategic renaming of online groups further intensified the digital manipulation, while far-right symbolism and cultural anxieties were used to amplify Călin Georgescu’s messages. [+]
Preliminary Report on Romanian Presidential Elections
Key Event — Călin Georgescu’s Unexpected Rise
• Winner of the first round of the presidential elections as an
independent candidate.
• Received over 2 million votes, winning in 13 counties
(G4Media).
• Known for a rhetoric aligned with Russia, highlighted by
Kremlin's Ria Novosti (HotNews).
ROMANIAN ELECTIONS: First results
The winner of the first round of Romanian presidential elections was a huge surprise even for close observers of the political landscape. Călin Georgescu, a lesser-known, peripheral candidate who ran as an independent, was dismissed as a minor contender due
to his low profile and far-right, pro-Russian messaging (which predates this campaign and was notably absent during it), defeated the long-standing favorite candidate of the largest Romanian party, after a campaign where he was quasi-absent from traditional
media. [+]
AI: The Thin Red Line of Information Integrity or Else?
The impressive powers of generative AI make it capable to act as a “dual agent”: to inform and to mislead, to analyze and to synthesize. Let’s dive into what speakers at the Sofia Information Integrity Forum 2024 had to say about that. [+]
BROD in Up2GATE 2024
What a week!
BROD with a series of presentations on the annual event of the GATE Institute in Sofia. [+]
AFP organised training for future fact-checkers in Sofia and Bucharest
This month BROD fact-checking partner AFP held its second fact-checking training planned in the project. Like the first one earlier this year, the training took place in a hybrid format, with an opening webinar, an online closing session, and twice two-day in person sessions for participants in Sofia and Bucharest. [+]
Sofia Information Integrity Forum gathered the Bulgarian community against misinformation
Sofia Information Integrity Forum gathered the Bulgarian community against misinformation. [+]
BROD co-organises Sofia Information Integrity Forum 2024
BROD co-organises Sofia Information Integrity Forum 2024, which will be held on November 7-9 in the Central Military Club, Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd 7. [+]
BG MIL Conference 2024: Mapping MIL initiatives in Bulgaria
The world has become very complex, and media literacy should be recognised as a basic competence. With these words, Deputy Education Minister Natalia Miteva opened the annual media literacy conference organised by the Bulgarian Media Literacy Coalition. [+]
New sanctions framework against the responsible for destabilising activities against the EU
The European Council established a new framework for restrictive measures in response to Russia’s destabilising actions abroad. [+]
Credits: StopFals
Real-Time Fact-Checking: Moldova’s First Debate
The Fact Frontier initiative kicks off in Moldova with its first debate, bringing a fresh approach to fighting misinformation during election season. Supported by Funky Citizens, Transparency International Moldova, and the Independent Press Association Moldova, the project uses real-time fact-checking to keep candidates accountable and debates grounded in truth. Over the course of eleven debates, young journalists and students from Moldova and Romania will join this effort to promote transparency and media integrity, setting a new standard for informed democratic dialogue. [+]
The exhibition "Fake News. Following the lies" in Bucharest
Funky Citizens / Mihai Andrei Leaha
Civic Caravan Report: A civic engagement and media literacy journey across Romania
Funky Citizens organization launched a civic and media education tour called the "Civic Caravan" ahead of Romania’s 2024 elections, aiming to engage young people in responsible civic life and online information literacy. Visiting over 20 communities, including both urban and rural areas, the Caravan sparked debates on civic responsibility, fact-checking, and combating disinformation. Key initiatives, such as fact-checking marathons in universities and the "Fake News. Following the Lies" exhibition, were designed to train young people in critical thinking and media literacy, empowering them to navigate the digital landscape responsibly. As Romania faces a rising risk of democratic backsliding, these efforts highlight the importance of being informed, ensuring citizens make conscious, informed decisions. This initiative not only fosters informed civic participation but also establishes a foundation for long-term engagement and media education across the country. [+]
Photo MEDIAiBiH
Harnessing AI for Better Journalism. BROD presented at MEDIAiBiH, Sarajevo
BROD work was presented at the conference on Artificial Intelligence in the Information and Media System of Bosnia and Herzegovina (MEDIAiBiH) [+]
Photo EU
BROD collaborates with Moldovan partners on upcoming elections in Chișinău
The Bulgarian-Romanian Observatory of Digital media BROD collaborates with Moldovan partners on upcoming elections in Chișinău.
Elena Calistru from Funky Citizens will coordinate the fact-checking aspect and Keith Kiely from GATE Institute in Sofia will handle the comparative research.
During a technical workshop in September, European Commission staff and Moldovan authorities conducted a threat assessment and election readiness exercise with online platforms, Moldovan civil society organisations, fact-checkers and independent media. Several online platforms agreed on the implementation of a temporary escalation mechanism ahead of Moldova’s presidential elections and national referendum about the EU membership on 20 October. [+]
Global Media and Information Literacy Week
Global Media and Information Literacy Week is an annual event observed from 24th to 31st October to raise awareness and celebrate the progress achieved towards Media and Information Literacy for all. [+]
In Ruse: Free Media and Digital Literacy Training for Adults 55+
Tsvetelina Stefanova, a contributor of BRODhub, was one of the organisers of the Free Media and Digital Literacy Training for Adults 55+ in Ruse University Angel Kanchev University of Ruse. The target group is users above 55 years old. [+]
EDMO elections 2024 taskforce group final report
Quoted by international media, trusted by EU institutions, nurtured by the European communities of fact-checkers, media literacy experts, and researchers, the EDMO Task Force on EU Elections 2024 has been a successful endeavor to monitor and counter disinformation ahead of the vote. Its work was built relying on the efforts of over 50 independent fact-checking organizations, part of the EDMO fact-checking network, and 14 EDMO hubs monitoring the disinformation at the local level. [+]
Fact-Checking
Exhibition at the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo on December 9, 2021.
AFP / ODD ANDERSEN
Fact-Checking
BROD is the unique European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO)-related hub covering Bulgaria and Romania.
The portal gives access to a continuous feed of fact-check articles aimed at debunking information in Bulgarian and Romanian and to dozens of archives.
Part of the initiative is the fact-checking leader Agence France-Presse (AFP) with its operations in both countries: Proveri for Bulgaria; and Verificat for Romania. Bulgarian National Television (BNT) is also part of the observatory with its new team of fact-checkers. On the Romanian side the hub’s fact-checking activity is also carried on by Factual, a platform launched by FUNKY CITIZENS. [+]
Media Literacy
A smartphone and a desktop screen showing reports about disinformation related to Brazilian presidential election, in Rio de Janeiro on August 29, 2022
AFP / MAURO PIMENTEL
BROD RESOURCES
Within the domain of media and information literacy (MIL), BROD is gradually adding the resources for educating teachers, librarians and journalists and delivered in Bulgarian and Romanian languages. [+]
Research
BROD will be bringing to you focused research reports on topics relevant to Bulgaria and Romania. You will be able to find reports in English in the Research section, as well as publications in Bulgarian and Romanian. In addition to its own outputs in research, BROD curates a collection of older studies of the BROD partners and other relevant reports.
The relationship with information and media consumption habits of children and young people in Romania
The end of 2024 has shown once again how important it is for Romanian citizens to have the skills to distinguish between facts and opinions, to understand the workings of social media, the techniques of persuasion, to be aware of the persuasive role influencers play in public communication, and to be able to do minimal checks on the information that reaches them. For the younger generation, school is the place to teach them all these things. [+]
Distorted Realities: Exposing Malign Influence in Bulgarian Online Discourse. Country Report
This report presents the results from research activities implemented by the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD) as part of the Bulgarian-Romanian Observatory of Digital Media (BROD). It examines the spread of pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives in Bulgarian online media and Telegram channels in 2024, focusing on three key topics of social importance: 1) Bulgarian ethnic minorities in Ukraine, 2) the European Green Deal (EGD), and climate change in general, and 3) the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination in general. [+]
A semi-automated approach for discovery of politically exposed persons in research data: alternative approaches
Two pipelines could be employed to facilitate research data analysis activities. (part II) [+]
Code of Practice on Disinformation in Romania: A Synthesis of SNSPA Research
A study done in September 2024 by the SNSPA research team has taken an in-depth look at how major digital platforms—Google, Meta, Microsoft, and TikTok—are implementing the EU’s revised Code of Practice on Disinformation in Romania. [+]
The Schengen Debate: How Disinformation Drives Euroscepticism
Researchers from SNSPA (Romania) and NTCenter (Bulgaria) studied how the Schengen debate in both countries is affected by disinformation and is driving eurosceptic attitudes. [+]
BROD Observational Snapshot Romanian Presidential Elections Controversy – The View from Facebook December 8th-15th, 2024
This analysis focuses on the narratives discovered in over 11,000 available Facebook posts accessed through Meta’s content library surrounding Presidential candidate Călin Georgescu, between December 8-15, 2024. The discourse reveals an increasingly polarized landscape involving both supporters and detractors, shaped by key themes and allegations. [+]
A semi-automated approach for discovery of politically exposed persons in research data: initial experiments
The technical partener of BROD, ONTO, along with Romanian (SNSPA) and Bulgarian (CSD) parteners developed a pipeline to automatically identify politcally exposed persons (PEP). [+]
Disinformation about Bulgaria and Romania’s accession to the Schengen Area fuels Eurosceptic attitudes and distrust in the media
The accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen Area has been a subject of controversy and public debate in the last years, with full access granted as of today, December 12th, 2024. The topic was not spared of many disinformation narratives, circulating in all types of media, in both countries. [+]
Generational Perspectives on Media Consumption in Romania
This research explores how individuals engage with news and information, focusing on aspects such as preferred sources of news, formats, and exposure habits within the contemporary media landscape. [+]
BROD Observational Snapshot: Romanian Presidential Elections Controversy – The View from Facebook December 1-8th, 2024
This report provides an overview of the key conversation drivers and dynamics from available Facebook data sourced through the Meta Content Library for the period Dec 1-8, 2024. This past week has been pivotal in Romanian politics. Reports from Romanian intelligence services have suggested coordinated efforts to influence the outcome of the first round of the presidential elections. [+]
GLOBSEC REPORT: Public Attitudes in Bulgaria - a Severe Lack of Trust
Not all of Bulgarian society has fully embraced the country’s place in the West yet, but recent GLOBSEC Trends polls indicate that the country is certainly warming up to the EU and NATO. Between 2020 and 2024, Bulgarians’ support for EU membership improved by 7 percentage points, while backing for NATO increased by 15 percentage points. The picture is not perfect, as 73% of Bulgarians agreed with the ‘EU dictate’ narrative in 2024, indicating that concerns about the European Union’s role in Bulgaria remain prevalent. [+]
This project has received funding from the European Union under Contract number: 101083730 — BROD. This document reflects the views only of the independent Consortium, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained herein.
REVISING PRIORITIES: HOW CAN WE MOST EFFECTIVELY BALANCE DISINFORMATION NARRATIVES AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION WITHIN EU MEDIA POLICY?
The paper offers a perspective on the growing challenge of balancing disinformation
narratives and freedom of expression within European Union (EU) media policy. It
claims that within current approaches such a balance cannot be achieved and that a
serious look at the drivers of media consumption trends and EU media policies on
disinformation is required. Within the current frame of reference there is a need to
carefully consider what we mean by freedom of expression. This paper argues that one
aspect to consider is how current EU media policy, online media consumption and
monetisation models create a space where attention-grabbing and emotionally charged
content is favoured. This viewpoint might shed light on how these trends may potentially
be overshadowing important but less attention-grabbing voices or perspectives. The
article contends that one possible approach would be policies which encourage
prioritising and investing in not-for-profit and participatory media systems built on
community ownership and grassroots input.
Key words: disinformation, freedom of expression, EU, media policy [+]
Response Rating Distribution Comparison
Evaluating VLOP and VLOSE Implementation of the Strengthened EU Code of Practice on Disinformation in Bulgaria
In June of 2022, Google, Meta, Microsoft, TikTok, Twitter (rebranded as X) and a selection of advertising industry companies all signed up to the strengthened Code of Practice on Disinformation (European Commission, 2022). One of the goals of this strengthened version of the code was to empower the industry to adhere to self-regulatory standards in order to combat disinformation. The strengthened code also claims to set a more ambitious set of commitments and measures aimed at combating disinformation online.
Our aim here is to offer an assessment or evaluation of the implementation of the 2022 Code of Practice on Disinformation (CoP) by these companies in Bulgaria. Very little information exists on the implementation of the strengthened Code of Practice when it comes to Bulgaria by Very Large Online Platforms and Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOP and VLOSE) and this is a country which is particularly vulnerable to disinformation narratives. [+]
The Bulgarian-Romanian Observatory on Disinformation (BROD): a Bridge to the Future
The European Union is currently facing multiple crises, not restricted to but including the COVID‑19 pandemic, the conflict in Ukraine, ecological and energy-related challenges, immigration pressures, and internal social and political issues. However, Europe and the EU are also defined by their know-how, culture, multilingualism, and contributions to the evolution of Western civilisation, a legacy that should be honoured and progressed to meet contemporary challenges. Our responsibility and hope lie in transforming society sustainably and intelligently in order to respond to anticipated and unanticipated changes. One possible instrument to do so is through European media observatories like the European Media Observatory (EDMO), which can serve as hubs for this purpose. The Bulgarian-Romanian Observatory on Disinformation (BROD) is one of the hubs collaborating with EDMO, which brings together journalists, fact-checkers, public figures, and academic researchers to work towards a society better prepared to tackle disinformation. This paper provides a broad overview of its setup and discusses some of the current challenges in monitoring the progress in counteracting disinformation. [+]
Evaluating the Implementation of the EU Code of Practice on Disinformation in Romania
In Romania, the National Authority for Management and Regulation in Communications (ANCOM) was recently designated as the Digital Services Coordinator, responsible for overseeing and ensuring compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA). ANCOM has also become part of the European Board for Digital Services, collaborating with other national coordinators, conducting joint investigations, issuing opinions and recommendations, and contributing to developing and implementing guidelines and reports related to the DSA. [+]
The disinformation landscape in Bulgaria
In recent years Bulgaria has been in constant early elections (five national votes in two years) and governed by a caretaker cabinet for more than a year. Political tensions in the country are a result of several corruption scandals that have led to a deepening lack of trust in the institutions. As a result, powerful societal and political divisions remain impossible to bridge. This mistrust in official institutions and societal divisions are an ideal breeding ground for disinformation. [+]
