Mhow: In a significant step toward strengthening professional military education in the evolving domain of information warfare, the Army War College (AWC), Mhow, conducted an expert lecture as part of its ongoing Information Warfare (IW) Course on Friday. Vijay Joshi, Head of the Press Trust of India (PTI), delivered this lecture, offering officers a nuanced understanding of the media’s expanding role in contemporary conflict environments.
The lecture focused on the growing relevance of cognitive warfare, where influence over perception, narratives, and information ecosystems increasingly shapes strategic outcomes. Drawing from his extensive experience in journalism, Joshi highlighted how media platforms now function as critical arenas of contestation, often determining the trajectory of public opinion and, by extension, national and international responses.
A key theme of the session was the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on modern information dynamics. Officers were exposed to the opportunities and risks posed by AI-driven tools, including their role in amplifying narratives, enabling real-time information dissemination, and, conversely, facilitating misinformation through deepfakes and algorithmic manipulation. The discussion underscored the need for military professionals to develop a sophisticated understanding of these technologies to effectively operate in the digital battlespace.
Participants of the IW Course engaged with the subject through an operational lens, examining how strategic communication, media engagement, and information integrity are becoming indispensable components of modern military planning. The lecture emphasized that success in future conflicts will not be determined solely by kinetic capabilities, but also by the ability to shape and control the cognitive environment.
The initiative reflects the Indian Army’s broader effort to integrate multidisciplinary perspectives into its training architecture. By bringing together military practitioners and seasoned media professionals, AWC continues to foster a comprehensive approach to information warfare, one that bridges traditional defence paradigms with emerging challenges in the digital age.
As global security landscapes become increasingly influenced by information flows and narrative control, such engagements highlight the importance of preparing military leaders to navigate the complexities of the modern “digital battlefield” with precision, awareness, and strategic foresight.
contact: drrajeshjauhri@gmail.com
Dr Rajesh Jauhri is a Journalist with an experience of over 25 years in Indian and foreign media, a Social Scientist, an Ac-complished Author, a Political & Strategic Analyst, a Marksman (Rifle & Pistol), an Orator, a Thinker and an Educationist. He holds a Ph.D. degree on “Impact of colonial heritage on Indian police”. He runs an NGO dedicated to the social and eco-nomic uplift of tribal communities in MP and two decades back, he established a school in a village of Indore district, providing education and moral values to children belonging to underprivileged and minority families. Has received multiple awards in various fields.
