Bulgarian Foundation spreads pro‑Bulgaria propaganda on Macedonian‑language sites

An investigation by the portal 360 degrees found that a network of Macedonian‑language internet portals and Facebook pages, presented as local media, are actually operated by the Bulgarian “Foundation Macedonia” of the controversial figure Viktor Stojanov. Around 140,000 Facebook profiles follow these pages. The outlets regularly publish provocative headlines that inflame debates about Macedonia‑Bulgaria relations, Macedonian‑Albanian tensions and similar issues, such as excerpts from an interview with Arben Tarabari titled “Macedonians have no closer people than Bulgarians.” These posts trigger hundreds of polemic comments and instances of hate speech.

The findings highlight coordinated online disinformation aimed at shaping public opinion in North Macedonia and aggravating inter‑ethnic and inter‑state disputes.