Unveiling X as a tool of information warfare among Malaysian politician: a phenomenology approach

Politicians constantly rely on effective communication to convey information and connect with their audiences. Engaging with various issues, topics, and contexts daily, they strive to ensure their messages reach and resonate with their target audiences, particularly potential voters. Social media platforms have become focal points for politicians and their audiences to interact, enabling the effective communication of political agendas to their followers. This study employs a phenomenological approach to investigate why politicians utilize X (formerly known as Twitter) as a tool for information warfare to manifest their political agendas. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 influential and active Malaysian politicians who extensively use platform X. The interviews were transcribed, interpreted and analysed using NVivo 12 software. Through thematic analysis, the findings reveal that the selection of X as the platform for managing information warfare is seen as strategically substantial, particularly within the political context of Malaysia, based on factors elucidated by political experts. Although X is not the sole communication platform utilized, its ability to swiftly and effectively manifest political agendas makes it a crucial tool for ensuring communication channels effectively convey information and garner support from the target audience.