Weaponized Communication: Digital Advertising and the Undermining of Liberal News Media

Weaponized Communication provides the first systematic empirical study of how liberal mainstream news media are targeted through coordinated social media advertising campaigns. Drawing on original materials, Ahmed Al-Rawi examines the weaponization of misinformation discourses, such as “fake news,” disinformation, and misinformation, across Facebook and Google ads. The analysis demonstrates how these campaigns undermine trust in journalism and democratic institutions. Employing a mixed-method approach, Al-Rawi combines qualitative and interpretive analysis with a range of digital methods to offer a holistic understanding of this evolving phenomenon. By mapping advertisers’ strategies, audience targeting, and spending patterns, the book reveals the systematic nature of these campaigns and their implications for political communication. This book will be of interest to students and scholars in journalism, media and communication studies, political science, and related fields. It will also serve as a valuable resource for libraries and academic institutions seeking timely research on disinformation and the challenges facing democratic discourse.