site.btaNearly 61% of Bulgarians Say They Come Across Fake News Daily - Poll

Nearly 61% of Bulgarians say that every day they come across news that can be defined as untrue, false or as fake in general, according to a poll conducted by Myara Sociology Agency and released on Friday. This significant percentage suggests that what is defined as fake news is turning into the new norm, Myara wrote.

The data is from a telephone survey conducted on January 16 and 17 among 800 adults in Bulgaria.

Some 17.5% of the respondents reported that they come across fake news once or a few times a month, 12.8% said this happens to them less often, and 5.6% believe that they have virtually never come across fake news.

Asked whether they have ever heard about or witnessed restrictions being imposed on Facebook users, 42.6% said that have heard of such cases or witnessed them at least once. Another 15.8% shared they were the ones that were restricted and have also heard of other cases. Only 1.3% said that they were restricted but never heard of other users experiencing the same, while 39.8% of all respondents said that they have never experienced or heard of restrictions being imposed on Facebook.

The data reflects a subjective and broad perception. The poll paints a curious picture: the perception of mass dissemination of false information goes hand in hand with the perception of restrictions, the sociologists said.