The filthy campaign trail online
By Eva C. Visperas
AS the political climate heats up for the May 12 midterm elections in Pangasinan, the use of dirty tactics in campaigning has reached new lows.
I don’t usually get glued to Facebook, but lately, I’ve found myself doing so as a way of assessing the worthiness of some candidates, whether for national or local positions. Perhaps 80% of that is focused on my beloved Pangasinan.
While radio broadcasters and established journalists continue to tread carefully, offering measured criticisms and upholding their responsibility to provide the public with accurate information, social media has emerged as the new battleground for unscrupulous attacks. Here, anonymity and paid trolls have taken center stage, clouding the public’s ability to discern truth from lies.
One candidate and his wife are crying foul, yet I follow their campaign online and see many instances of them maligning their opponent and his family at every turn. Check the golden rule, madam/sir. Don’t do unto others what you don’t want others to do unto you, right?
Now, here’s the other side of campaigning. Just five minutes is all he is asking during his political rallies, I heard Ex-Gov. Amado “Pogi” Espino III say, “Manpili ki la. Kwarta o Serbisyo? Diretsaan tayo… Sino’ng sira ulo ya agto gabay su kwarta? Doga? Gabay yo may dwara? Serbisyo tan kwarta?” These words echoed as part of his pitch.
Truth be told, I’ve seen other videos of his campaigning, and I don’t find it heavy on the heart to watch. His style of speaking is humorous, short, never boring, not pontificating, and not sounding holier-than-thou. He can relate to the people, and he knows how to capture the crowd’s attention and affection. The people’s response feels natural, not forced.
He shared how heartbroken he was when he saw a video of students from Pangasinan State University who were supposed to be on their OJT (on-the-job training) but were instead used to repack rice, salt, sardines, and other goods for distribution by a certain candidate. I, too, saw that video, and it shocked me.
“Ibalik natin ang dangal at respeto,” he said. That video speaks volumes. It’s a silent manifestation of how some leaders treat the less fortunate. I sympathize with them. It’s a reality staring us in the face.
On the other hand, there is another candidate who incessantly accuses his rivals of using vicious social media attacks. He presents himself as a victim of fake news and character assassination, yet he, too, is using paid trolls to launch his own attacks. This hypocrisy is a dangerous trend.
Elsewhere in Pangasinan and across the Philippines, social media these days is flooded with shadowy figures who launch attacks, spread misinformation, and sway public opinion.
These hired online mercenaries, often referred to as “trolls,” operate in the dark, hiding behind fake identities, fake accounts, and fabricated narratives. They are easily recognizable when you click on the profile of a netizen hurling invectives at their patron’s opponent — it’s just a newly created account with only five or fewer friends.
The anonymity that social media offers has emboldened these individuals to spread baseless rumors, assassinate characters, and manipulate voters — free from accountability.
In contrast to the unchecked chaos unfolding online, traditional media outlets like radio broadcasters and print journalists remain relatively more cautious. While they are far from perfect, they generally adhere to ethical standards, fact-checking their reports before publication. In an era where fake news spreads like wildfire, these institutions continue to uphold some level of accountability — though even they must grapple with the rise of disinformation and sensationalism.
However, with the advent of paid trolls and their armies of fake accounts, the space for thoughtful, informed discussion is rapidly shrinking.
From my viewpoint, I offer these pieces of advice, especially to the young voters:
- Look for the record, not the rhetoric.
- Be wary of social media attacks.
- Avoid the trap of victimhood.
- Ask the right questions.
- Engage in local conversations.
At the end of the day, it is up to us, the voters, to be the guardians of truth and to be more discerning than ever before.
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