Media and Communication Research

Media and Communication Research

The Legal System of Digital Advertising and Political Persuasion: A Framework for Protecting Citizens' Rights in Cyberspace

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Hatef Pourrashidi Alibigloo
Assistant Professor, Department of Communication, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran
10.22034/mcr.2026.538483.1082
Abstract
This article examines the legal system of digital advertising and political persuasion in cyberspace, which plays a key role in protecting citizens' rights and ensuring the health of the political and media environment. The research objectives include a critical analysis of existing regulations and the proposal of a legal framework based on the principles of transparency, data protection, and countering misinformation. In this documentary research method, data were collected from reliable sources, including academic articles, official reports, national and international laws, and media theories. This method has enabled an extensive review of the subject literature, comparison of legal systems, and regulatory frameworks with an analytical approach. The results of the study indicate that the evolution of digital technologies, especially the widespread use of big data and targeted algorithms, has turned political advertising into an effective tool for shaping political attitudes and behaviors. However, problems such as micro-targeting, privacy violations, dissemination of misinformation, and the lack of a coherent legal system pose serious threats to democratic health and citizens' rights. The research emphasizes the necessity of revising the design of the legal system to align with Iran's national and cultural values, in a way that ensures financial transparency in advertising, platform accountability, and the development of media literacy are considered as core components for guaranteeing the health of the digital space. The proposed model draws inspiration from international experiences such as the GDPR and the DSA, offering practical solutions for consolidating the legal and regulatory framework, which can ensure the protection of citizens' rights and strengthen democratic processes.
Keywords
Political digital advertising
Political persuasion
Digital rights
Micro-targeting
Transparency and platform accountability
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