OFFSTONE JUNE EDITION 2025

49 IS HONESTY DEAD ONLINE? THE ETHICS CRISIS IN DIGITAL DISCOURSE AMID THE 2023 GAZA WAR By: Dr Ihab Awais ihab@usim.edu.my Dr. Ihab Ahmed Awais* is a Senior Lecturer in the Communication Program at the Faculty of Leadership and Management, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM). His research interests span various areas, including political communication, Islamic communication, media studies, and media effects. ORCID ID: 0000-0003-2451-3671. ABSTRACT This article explores the ethical dilemmas associated with digital communication amid the 2023 Gaza War. It concentrates on the spread of disinformation, the role of algorithmic amplification, and the platforms' responsibility. Through an analysis of significant cases and user behaviours, the article emphasises the pressing necessity for critical media literacy and ethical involvement to safeguard the integrity of information in conflict settings. Introduction The 2023 Gaza War, ignited by Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, has not only resulted in devastating human casualties but has also unleashed an unprecedented information war. Social media platforms have become battlegrounds where truth is contested, manipulated, and often overshadowed by disinformation. This article explores how digital communication ethics have been compromised during the conflict, examining the proliferation of false narratives, the role of algorithms, and the ethical responsibilities of platforms and users alike.