The Politics of Propaganda in the Digital Age: Global Conflict and Fake News

Propaganda is one of the oldest concepts associated with global communication. Used for centuries to influence public opinion and shape political outcomes, propaganda continues to play a significant role in both domestic and international politics. In today's highly interconnected world, where communication technologies and patterns of human interaction are rapidly evolving, Dr. Yahya R. Kamalipour, editor of the recently published book Propaganda in the Digital Age: Global Conflicts, Media, Politics, and Fake News, offers a multifaceted examination of propaganda and its contemporary manifestations. The presentation explores the complex relationships among propaganda, war, media, information, misinformation, and disinformation, with particular attention to how digital technologies have transformed the production, dissemination, and consumption of political messages. It will also examine the growing role and impact of social media in recent events and conflicts in the Middle East, highlighting how digital platforms can influence perceptions, narratives, public opinion, and political discourse. The presentation ultimately considers how propaganda operates in the digital age and what its expanding reach means for communication, politics, conflict, and society. Dr. Yahya R. Kamalipour is a former professor and interim chair of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at North Carolina A&T State University (2014-2025). Previously, for 28 years, he served as professor and head of the Department of Communication and Creative Arts, Purdue University Northwest. He is founding president of the Global Communication Association and founding director of the Global Media Journals Network. Dr. Kamalipour's areas of interest and research include globalization, media impact, international communication, Middle East media, social media, and new communication technologies. Profiled in the Contemporary Authors and Who's Who in the World, he has published 22 books, including Propaganda in the Digital Age: Global Conflicts, Media, Politics, and Fake News (2026), and Global Communication: A Multicultural Perspective, 4th edition (2025). He has visited 70 countries, delivered keynote speeches, and organized academic conferences around the globe. For details, visit his personal website: https://yahyakamalipour.com/