The article studies the genesis, evolution andpractice of the term "information warfare" in the globalmedia space. The study reveals the relationship ofcontemporary information warfare with forms andmethods of military and political publicity of differentstates, starting from the 19th century. The media space indifferent historical eras in societies with various powerpatterns and theories applied to the control of massconsciousness are reviewed. The article examines the rootorigins of the information warfare concept and itsapplication in the global media field. The terminologicalanalysis allows us to determine the relationship ofmilitary operations and military deception withdefinitions of propaganda, psychological war, andinformation war over the past hundred years.