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Description
The project outcomes will contribute to the public discussion of the strategy for the development and financing of the national media, i.e. the Bulgarian National Television (BNT) and the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR). We believe that the financing of BNT and BNR should be bound to their public function, in particular the provision of quality content in line with the best professional and ethical standards of journalism. The project aims at analyzing the data content presented by BNT1 and Horizont to identify, analyse and map possible instances of dissemination of disinformation. The focus will be not on counting the number of “fake news” but on tracking and exposing “fake” stories, intentionally misleading, inciting fear and hatred towards various social groups: minorities, migrants, civil society representatives ("Sorosoids", "Genders") or against the EU. 10 news and opinion journalism shows will be monitored and analysed. In case of any misinforming stories, we will analyse the source and/or the secondary dissemination of such content online. Network analysis will help show the sources, spokesmen and channels of spread of disinformation. The final report will be presented to the management of BNT and BNR, the Council for Electronic Media, the Committee on Culture and the Media in the National Assembly and representatives of other public institutions, as well as the media, the NGO sector and the general public as an end user.
Summary of project results
A large-scale survey of BNT1(Bulgarian National TV) and Horizon program (Bulgarian National Radio) was conducted, which found that they perform their public function, although there are some significant shortcomings. Imbalances were found in the presentation of active citizenship (NGO sector and civil protests), the extra-parliamentary opposition, as well as the topics of "education" and "social policy". Cases of fake stories have been detected and their online distribution has been monitored. Recommendations have been made.
Research methods included: quantitative and qualitative content analysis, semantic analysis and frequency analysis. Dissemination methods: online publication, Facebook, press conference and media participation of team members.
The target groups are journalists and political institutions, as well as the general public. More than a hundred media and journalists, as well as dozens of institutions have been specially invited to get acquainted with the study. Through secondary publications and media participation, the general public has also been reached.