Election Blackouts !

For the last twenty years television has had to conform to a law that prevents them running political advertising from the close of the Wednesday before an election until the closing of the polls on election day.   The purpose of that ban was to stop political parties making untested last minute claims of a volatile nature which could sway the vote of the uncommitted.

In that twenty years much has changed.  Television has competition from both Facebook and Google and a growing number of other platforms and they are not included in this advertising ban.  The television industry complains that this is not  a level playing field.

Most people have a feeling of relief when this political blackout comes into force.  The success of political parties relies on the money they can raise to bring their message to public attention and as a consequence we are bombarded with flyers stuffed into our lettterboxes and advertisements in newspapers.   The visual arts play a big part of television advertising and this has long been an important media for getting the message across.

Unfortunately, politicians are under no obligation to be truthful when it comes to political promises. When it comes to casting a vote in parliament they usually vote on party lines and lack of available funds is the usual excuse when an election promise is unfulfilled.  Most voters treat political promises before an election with that proverbial grain of salt.

It seems abundantly clear that the advertising impetus that decides elections has changed away from political advertising on conventional media to using the popularity of Facebook, Twitter and the like to spread what is now termed " fake news " to bolster public opinion.  It is possible to create a pool of people working computers to create the impression that public opinion has swung behind a point of view and this can be used to influence the vote from outside the country.

The very nature of social media invites individuals to express their views and consequently  when the majority appear to be in favour that can become very persuasive.   Going against the tide can make individuals feel out of touch and negative.  We have reason to believe that concerted efforts by the regimes of other countries is actively manipulating elections to gain trade advantages.

It is not possible to extend that election blackout to social media.  What is said on Facebook and Twitter is what citizens using their smartphone or computer choose to contribute and this is vulnerable to manipulation when linked computers signal support.  We tend to be enthused when our ideas appear to have popular support.

It is unlikely that removing that blackout on television advertising will have any real effect on election outcomes either way.  Social media is now the decisive force and that will not lose its power until individuals learn to evaluate claimed support for unusual points of view.  If that is unexpected, it probably comes from linked computers based somewhere else on this planet.

It seems doubtless that many do not make a final voting decision until they are in the voting booth on the day, pencil in hand.  Hopefully, they have given the choice careful thought - and make a responsible decision  !