Digital Civilization in the Political Arena: Or Is It the Other Way Around?

Spread of False News and Its Impact: Misinformation spread through social media platforms has contributed to the victory of one presidential candidate and the defeat of another in elections. Technology and its channels play a crucial role for individuals and have been central to protests and revolutions witnessed in several countries in recent years. Various phrases and statements emphasize the significant influence that the digital civilization has had on political life, whether in international relations or the internal policies of each nation. Undoubtedly, digital democracy grants equal rights to all segments of society. Any citizen can expand their network of relationships through social media platforms, express their ideas, share opinions, and engage with news relevant to them. This is healthy and has numerous positive aspects, as long as the ideas and news being circulated are genuine and constructive. However, when these networks become tools for malicious campaigns or spreading rumors to serve political entities or specific countries, the consequences can be extremely negative.

Approaches by Decision-Makers: Since the emergence of the digital civilization’s role in the political arena, decision-makers have dealt with its effects in various ways. In democratic countries, politicians and parties rely on data collection to inform their strategies. They engage with different segments of society, attempting to sway them through the most widely used channels. Consequently, social media platforms have become the primary means of conveying ideas and convincing people of their merits. In this context, Dawood Ibrahim, the advisor in media sustainability in the digital age, points out that there is a difference in how democratic countries approach the digital civilization compared to dictatorships. Democratic nations use social media intelligently. Politicians and parties in these countries communicate with their supporters and rival audiences through various methods, including rational discourse or appeals to emotions and instincts. All of this is aimed at achieving greater influence. They also form digital armies to achieve political goals by flooding websites with large amounts of information, regardless of its accuracy. The impact of digital civilization on political life is undeniable, and its implications are both positive and negative¹.