From Zoom diplomacy during COVID-19 to ongoing negotiations in fragile states, digital tools have changed how peace is built. Yet no screen can replace the rituals of presence — the handshakes, shared spaces, and subtle trust that sustain peace. This article explores hybrid peacebuilding as a way to merge digital inclusion with the irreplaceable power of face-to-face interaction, balancing opportunity with risk in the digital age.
In today’s landscape of information warfare, where war influencing has become a prevalent force, using digital communication to divide, manipulate, and destabilise; peace influencing could serve as a vital counterstrategy. This article explores digital peace through the lens of peace journalism and media theory, tracing how narratives shape conflict and cohesion alike. It examines the historical role of media in war, the transformation brought by social platforms, and how strategic communication is now being reclaimed to foster dialogue, empathy, and democratic resilience. From global grassroots efforts to evolving norms in digital communication, it argues that influencing for peace is no longer idealistic, but necessary.
