How ISIS Uses Digital Platforms to Build a Multimedia Legacy

TODAY

05 November 2015

Remy Mahzam

The digitisation of the Islamic State’s (ISIS) extremist identity has been made effective through its frequent injection of videos, incessant release of periodicals and downloadable visual reports in multiple languages, eventually building up a digital compendium that will remain accessible for future generations for reference. ISIS has realised the importance of digital channels to engage its supporters and drive conversation since the start of its military expansion in July 2014.

Similar to a business strategy, the need to digitise the real world so as to retain a competitive advantage in an increasingly commoditised environment remains a strategic imperative. Al-Hayat Media, the official media channel of ISIS, operates in an organic manner, overseeing several other media divisions such as Wilayat Ninawa, Al-Anbar, Baghdad, Fallujah, Al-Furat, Ad-Dijlah, Kirkuk and Ar-Raqqah and empowering each province to provide unique updates pertaining to its own developments.

… Remy Mahzam is an Associate Research Fellow with the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR) at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University. This commentary first appeared in RSIS Commentaries.

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