The Role of Public Relations in Times of War and the Spread of Rumors and Their Impact on Public Opinion

Abstract

This research aims to identify the types of rumors disseminated to the public during wartime, analyze the role of public relations in countering them, and determine the effects of public relations' role in confronting rumors on public opinion. This was achieved through a descriptive-analytical approach using in-depth interviews. An interview questionnaire was administered to a sample of 20 media professionals and public relations specialists. The research findings indicate that rumors related to the number and scale of human casualties during wartime are the most prevalent, and that shaping public opinion to counter rumors is the most significant outcome of the public relations role in addressing rumors during military operations.