THE RHETORIC OF DISINFORMATION: A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF IMRAN KHAN’S PERSUASIVE STRATEGIES AGAINST SOCIAL MEDIA FAKE NEWS IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Social media significantly impacts all aspects of life, including social, political, religious, and educational spheres. It facilitates public discourse and shapes public opinion, dramatically influencing the political landscape. The rise of social media has enabled politicians to connect directly with the public. The aim of this study is to explore political disinformation on social media and how Pakistani politicians, specifically Imran Khan, address it. This research employs Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) on a speech by Imran Khan regarding "Social Media and Fake News," identifying the persuasive strategies he uses to convince the audience about the negative impacts and dangers of fake news. The study utilizes Aristotle’s modes of persuasion—ethos, pathos, and logos—as the theoretical lens to deconstruct the rhetorical strategies employed. Furthermore, the study examines the potential contribution of his persuasive strategies to public understanding of disinformation and its impacts on democracy and the civil-military power balance. The findings provide insight into the crucial role of political rhetoric in the digital age and the necessity of evaluating online information.