The definition case of information warfare term: waging wars or disseminating propaganda?

The article studies the genesis, evolution and practice of the term “information warfare” in the global media space. The study reveals the relationship of contemporary information warfare with forms and methods of military and political publicity of different states, starting from the 19th century. The media space in different historical eras in societies with various power patterns and theories applied to the control of mass consciousness are reviewed. The article examines the root origins of the information warfare concept and its application in the global media field. The terminological analysis allows us to determine the relationship of military operations and military deception with definitions of propaganda, psychological war, and information war over the past hundred years. Keywords–control of mass consciousness, cyberspace, information warfare, information operation, propaganda, psychological warfare, psychological impact