A doctoral dissertation titled “Psychological Operations in Security Discourse on Iraqi Satellite Channels’ Websites and Their Impact on Public Opinion Formation toward Security Challenges” was discussed at the College of Mass Communication, University of Baghdad, by Ali Ismail Jassim Mohammed, a researcher in the Department of Radio and Television.
The discussion committee was chaired by Professor Ammar Taher, with Professor Hussein Dubai serving as supervisor. The committee included Professor Bushra Al-Sinjari, Assistant Professor Muntaha Hadi, and Assistant Professor Basim Waheed Joni, as well as Assistant Professor Saad Maan as an external member.
The dissertation sought to examine the nature of psychological operations, as well as the methods and tools used in constructing security discourse. It also analyzed its content and orientations, examined the extent to which audiences are exposed to the digital platforms of satellite channels and rely on them for security-related information, and assessed the impact of this exposure and reliance on public opinion formation regarding security challenges and threats.
The researcher adopted a descriptive methodology combining analytical and survey approaches. Discourse analysis was used to examine selected security-related content published on Facebook and YouTube by three Iraqi satellite channels: Al Iraqiya News, Dijlah, and Al Rabiaa. In addition, a field study was conducted among audiences in four Iraqi governorates—Baghdad, Anbar, Nineveh, and Dhi Qar—using a questionnaire to measure levels of exposure, reliance, perception, and attitudes toward security-related issues.
The findings showed that security media discourse employed a selective framing strategy in addressing several issues of public concern, particularly drug-related issues, contributing to greater awareness of their risks. The findings also indicated that security discourse effectively employed deterrence and displays of force to meet the public’s need for a sense of security on the ground. However, the study identified a need for deeper, faster, and more interactive discourse, particularly in debunking rumors and countering media misinformation.
The study found that security discourse demonstrated flexibility in addressing regional challenges. However, its connection to the political context sometimes resulted in a more immediate, reactive approach, highlighting the need to strengthen proactive planning in the production of security discourse.
The findings also revealed that security discourse published through the social media platforms of Iraqi satellite channels constitutes a major source of security-related information for the public, with Facebook emerging as the most influential and widely used platform for following this type of discourse.
The dissertation emphasized the importance of developing the use of psychological operations in Iraqi security discourse with greater precision and diversity, in ways that correspond to the nature of the situation and the target audience. It also called for strengthening the ability of media and security institutions to develop professional discourse capable of addressing crises, rumors, and communication challenges in the digital environment.
The dissertation consists of five chapters. The first presents the methodological framework of the study. The second examines the concept of psychological operations, their types, objectives, and methods. The third addresses security discourse and public opinion formation on social media. The fourth focuses on the analytical study of security discourse on the websites and platforms of the selected channels. The fifth presents the field study and examines the impact of security discourse on public opinion formation among Iraqi audiences.
The study aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, through its examination of the role of media discourse in raising awareness of security issues, supporting a more stable environment, and addressing challenges that threaten social peace.
