The mechanisms of Russian propaganda were discussed by experts from Bulgaria, Serbia, Romania and Moldova, at a conference in Sofia entitled “Blurring of the truth: Disinformation in Southeast Europe”.  

“I don’t believe Russia is paying out a lot of money to the Serbian media – why pay for something you are getting for free. Media in Serbia see a clear financial gain out of promoting Russia because people like Russia,” comments Stefan Janjić, editor-in-chief of FakeNews Tragic in Belgrade.

Ciprian Cucu, co-founder of Forum Apulum in Bucharest says that the main motor of disinformation is domestic. “Romanians do not speak Russian, we don’t have a Russian minority, and we are not dependent on Russian gas so much. The problem is that local influencers, politicians, standard media have started swerving in an anti-western direction which is connected with the view of a grand conspiracy that can be connected with post-communist Romania,” Ciprian Cucu says.