In 2010 Czech Republic experienced such lame and pathetic political campaign race between ČSSD and ODS parties, that it turned many people into doubting whether there still is a point of political advertising in Czech country what so ever. The campaigns were based from a large part on negative advertising - sending false messages using very shallow attacks, inaccurate information, and absurd emotional appeals.
In fact, such strategies are getting surprisingly common in political advertising. Just remember the last presidential election in the USA. It turns out that now-a-day politics wears nasty and nastier trademark. On one hand, this strategy could be a move towards honesty; it could push politicians to act more honorable when all secrets they keep in the closet could so easily get in a form of a juicy attack ad. On the other hand, it could make the elections only messier and more misleading if all the candidates play hard and untruthful cards.
In short, political advertising could be considered the most important subdivision of advertising, considering that voters decisions about politics are important for the future of the country, while what detergent they buy does not have any serious social impact (Berger, 86). That is why political advertising and its roles, rules, and effects might deserve out attention even more than aspects of product advertising. Nevertheless, for example in the USA, political advertising is the one the less restricted and the most unethical (Jackson). The true is, heading this direction it might totally loose its primal purpose – to help to decide, to explain, to provide information.
Reference:
Berger, Arthur Asa. “Political advertising”. Seeing is Believing: An Introduction to
Visual Communication. Rowman and Littlefield, 2011, ed.4.
<http://www.aef.com/pdf/BERGER~Ch6.pdf>
Jackson, Brooks. “False Ads: There Oughta Be A Law! – Or Maybe Not”.
FactCheck.org. June 3, 2004. May 10, 2007.
<http://www.factcheck.org/2004/06/false-ads-there-oughta-be-a-law-or-maybe-not/>
Bella, this is very true. Political advertising is becoming every year worse. Political parties are not putting the emphases on their future goals anymore as much as on the comparing with the other political party. Why this kind of comparing is allowed in political advertising but permitted in any other kind of advertising? Politics should be focusing on the advantages of their party not criticize others or even telling lies to public in order to be more popular. It makes sense that people are discussed by politics all over the world. They are trying to destroy other political parties or individual more than trying to become the leading party.
ReplyDeleteBella I totally agree with you. It is unbelievable how the political advertisements are misleading. It seems to me like any political advertising campaign is full of lies and promotes something totally unrealistic. The main point for the party is to be elected and become a leader and than nothing. Nothing changes, there is no improvement. Nothing comes true. I also agree with Meggie that politiciants should have to focus on their own party and political activities than to criticize others.
ReplyDeleteI agree wiht you girls to some extend, but I still think that some competition is more than important. Even though some of the advertising may be false and unethical, it is still important to point out the dirt about your competitor. How would you feel if you lose in elections and you would know that your oponent did something wrong in the past, either something illegal or unethical. I guess you would want all the poeple to know about that, so they can freely decide whether they want to vote for them or not. It is important to bring new perspectives and opinions and chalenge people a little bit to think critically.It is up to them if they believe it or not. The truth will come out eventually, so why not before the elections.
ReplyDeleteYou may not agree with me, but it is ok, it is just my opinion. :)
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ReplyDeleteThere are no limits on how far politicians would go, to get what they want, to win election, to promote themselves. Getting all the dirt out just for the sake of getting the desired position. However, I would agree with Klaudia on this subject. No matter how dirty and far they go, the competition is what makes this world go round. In order to win they play dirty. Not that I am saying it is acceptable, but we have to admit that it is the way it works. Moreover, sometimes using political ads this way may reveal the truth that has to be revealed to the public. People have a right to know. This gives them a real option of choice, not a fake illusion, when they are made to choose between 'perfect' candidates.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I would definitely agree with you, Bella, that this trend is not good and not the right way to go fot Media.
I agree with Klaudia to the extent that it is good to uncover the truth but the ads should stay away from lies and make up stories. Sure in this era it is hard to distinguish what is real and what not. But I have a feeling that when somebody brings up the dirt and attacks the opponent it tells something also about the attacker. It sends the message that the attacker was also desperate, bad enough to gunnysack or even create the lies about the opponent which is in fact the weakness. The confidence in the ads was swept away and instead we got bulletpoints with attacks on the opponents. Whether true or not, it does not matter to me as the fact that they lower their standards and use this kind of advertisement to attack their opponents. Therefore, i see political ads today as more negative than positive (even the ones that seem positive seem not trustworthy). BOB
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