Description

This book was born out of a growing concern about the insidious spread of disinformation and the increasingly sophisticated techniques used to manipulate public opinion through social media. As an investigative journalist and political scientist specializing in online manipulation, I’ve witnessed firsthand the devastating impact these campaigns can have on democratic processes, individual lives, and the very fabric of society. The ease with which AI-powered tools can be used to create convincing fake personas, deepfakes, and manipulated media content is alarming, and the speed at which these narratives spread online is staggering. This book is not simply an academic exercise; it is a call to action. It is a culmination of years of research and investigative reporting into the dark underbelly of social media, where the lines between reality and fabrication are blurred and the stakes are higher than ever before. The case studies presented here are not mere anecdotes; they are compelling illustrations of the real-world consequences of unchecked social media manipulation. They demonstrate the need for critical thinking, media literacy, and robust policy responses to combat this pervasive threat to our democracies. My hope is that this book will serve as a valuable resource for researchers, students, policymakers, and concerned citizens alike, providing a comprehensive understanding of the challenges we face and empowering individuals to become more informed and discerning consumers of information. In a world awash in misinformation, the need for critical thinking and media literacy has never been greater. This book is a contribution to that essential cause.