The theme of outrage I see on DU regarding why Trump won is based on an outdated understanding of where millions of Americans get their news and information, which is social media. Unlike traditional journalism, there is no vetting of stories, particularly stories that are recommended, based on accuracy. To the contrary, stories are recommended based on propensity to click, which favors outrageous, emotionally laden, conspiracy filled stories. Thus, the more outrageous and detached a candidate is, particularly when they are supported by a cult like following, the more likely misinformation will spread as was the case in Philippines.
Worse, with social media, there is no warning that indicates the social media recommendations are not based on accuracy or reliability even though you would normally believe that a recommendation would be based on accuracy. There is no disclosure regarding the ranking algorithm that social media platforms use. Indeed, many users of social media are under the assumption that social media is more reliable, because it is based on their own searches, because they do not know the basis for why certain stories are recommended and pushed.
https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/perspective/40015561
Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr’s landslide presidential election win was secured with a social media disinformation campaign that whitewashed his father’s brutally corrupt dictatorship, falsifying not only Philippine history but also his own education credentials.
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To say that Marcos Jr won the presidential election by using social media as a propaganda tool is no exaggeration.
Bongbong masterminded a years-long strategic campaign on social media that has helped rebuild and polish his family’s image. Pro-Marcos propaganda has proliferated on social media – from glossy TikTok clips showing “fun times” during the Marcos era to YouTube videos declaring there was no martial law.
An official from political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica reportedly said it was approached by Marcos Jr to delete unfavourable records of the Marcos regime on social media platforms so he could gain momentum in the election.
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