Question

The media can have a major impact on our choice of candidates. When I was growing up the role of the television media had little impact on candidate choice. Now, with the time and news reporting devoted to candidates, the media is a huge player in the process. Candidates must “play” to the audience. It is not only what you say, but “how you say it” that counts. Everything can become a “sound bite.” Image is everything!

Further, candidates now must use the media for their campaigning. We saw negative campaigning in the race for president, and Donald Trump took negative campaigning and insinuation to a "new high."

From a sociological perspective - What do you think about negative campaigning? Does this influence your choice in candidates? Does negative advertising impact some population groups more than others?   Include in your discussion at least one of the sociological concepts we are studying.

Answer 1

Negative Campaigning

Negative campaigning is a type of campaign that is done by spreading negative news about someone or something to ruin the public image. It is deliberately spreading wrong information to warn people and misguide into doing the wrong thing. This leads to damage of the reputation of the person. This happens mostly during political campaigning where many aspiring politicians do not focus of talking about votes and how he or she can make the place, city or country better but majorly try to win through negative campaigning. This is done by tarnishing the reputation of the opponents and damaging their respect. Negative campaigning is a not a good way to move forward as it is very pessimist and non-progressive but a way to manipulate the minds of gullible citizens or people.

In my personal opinion, I have never been influenced by negative campaigning but it has led to reducing faith on the Politian or candidate who is doing the negative campaigning. My choice of candidate is based on analysis of all the development work he or she has done and how my vote can help in making the right person win. In my opinion, a person seeking help of negative campaigning is not the right candidate.

Yes, there are many gullible and naïve citizen of a country or place who are trapped by the claws of negative campaigning. It is an idea that is manipulated and manifested in their minds which leads them to believe that the person who is campaigning negatively is better and the other person whose image is being tarnished is not suitable.