A new barometer is developing on media for this current election campaign using crowd shots on rallies.
Optical illusion has never been in full display than the one we are having now. Drones have become a viable tool for political parties and their supporters to relay images of massive crowd support or the lack of it in rallies.
We get it, elections have always been a numbers game and it all begins in the massing of people in campaign rallies. But it has never been as fully utilized as it is now in images posted on social media accompanied by crowd estimates. Of course, we know they are always bloated for impact to serve the purpose of whoever is using the image to their advantage.
It is a means of influencing people’s minds especially the undecided to decide via the bandwagon principle. Political campaigns have resorted to using visual images, sometimes even distorted and edited for impact, to create positive image and influence. We are not saying only one camp is into this strategy, most if not all employ the same. Another tool is to create visual images obviously scripted for effect to project the image of a candidate as a compassionate and caring person worthy of one’s vote.
The campaign has brought to fore all ploys possible to win votes. It is a battle o creativity. The best imaginative brains win.
The electorate? They are the target victims.
Hence, being aware of the fact that these elections are a battle of social media campaigns and advertising is important. The best yardstick is still the three Ps of performance, platforms and policies.
Performance tells us of the background of the candidate in public service which reflects greatly what is perceived of him or her when in government.
Platforms are what they offer on the table. They may be crafted by their thinktanks but in a way reflects their focus areas in governance. Then you have policies, which defines their stand on critical issues like crime, corruption, illegal drugs, foreign relations and environment.
People shouldn’t be fooled by images or the campaign shows on the road. They are but crafted images designed to win votes.
