Politainment

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Politainment, a portmanteau word composed of politics and entertainment, describes tendencies in politics and mass media to liven up political reports and news coverage using elements from public relations to create a new kind of political communication. [1] Politainment, while outwardly emphasizing the political aspects of the information communicated, nevertheless draws heavily upon techniques from pop culture and journalism to make complex information more accessible or convincing and distract public attention from politically unfavorable topics. The interdependencies of politicians and media are known as the politico-media complex.

Contents

Of doubtful virtue, declining amounts of content and substance can easily be compensated by giving news stories a sensationalistic twinge. Sensationalism in the news can be traced back to the Muckrakers in 1905, they set out to reform journalism and public perception of injustices. [2] Politainment thus ranges on the same level as edu- and infotainment.

Typical catchlines in politainment reports or media will at times bluntly argue ad hominem in a generalizing manner and try to emphasize virtues and charisma ("xyz will Make America Great Again") or vices and weaknesses (by denunciation: "xyz will wreck this country", "lynching", etc.). [3] The latter example is also known as fear appeal. More moderate forms make extensive use of imprecise, metaphoric language (allegories, metonymy, periphrases, kennings etc.).

Politainment can be both a communication aspect of (1) politicians and spin doctors to their and their party's own advantage and the political adversary's disadvantage or (2) a strategy for news publishers, journalists, etc., to promote their medium and journalistic work. [4]

Politainment may be a factor in party identification, mass-influencing voter's choices, it has thus become an indispensable tool in political campaigns and elections. [1] [5] As such it can also be one of the—seemingly innocuous—ingredients of crowd manipulation up to political psychological warfare. [6]

Examples of Politainment in the United States

Pre 1970's

Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Fireside Chats

From March 1933 to June 1944, Franklin Delano Roosevelt would address the nation roughly thirty times via radio, in what would become known as "fireside chats." [7]

The 1930’s saw radio broadcasting at its peak, before the development of television broadcasting introduced competition for the public’s attention; by 1934, shortly into FDR's presidency, sixty percent of households had radios. [8]

Through this rapid rise, FDR became the first president to speak to the public directly, unfitted through the media. Not only were these messages informational, but they were entertaining. Though these chats were calculated and scripted, FDR spoke casually with simple language, and often called upon well known references to connect with audiences. [9] Fireside chats allowed him to reach faucets of the public that may have previously been excluded, such as illiterate individuals.

Fireside chats became something the American public willing wanted to tune into. [9] Often out rating the commercial comedies or dramas that were broadcast alongside them, fireside chats became a form of entertainment, while also educating the public and gaining public trust. [9]

1970's - 2000

Saturday Night Live

Ever since Saturday Night Live debuted in the fall of 1975, it earned fans' trust in part by speaking truth to power. "SNL" was an equal opportunity offender, mocking Democrats and Republicans mercilessly, and making judgment calls about their foibles that traditional media either couldn't or shouldn't. [10]

Presidential impersonations are one the shows defining features of the show. Each cast member on the show fights for the position of the impersonation of a president or candidate to earn more air-time. For example, Tina Fey’s impersonation of Sarah Palin was so good that even though she wasn’t a current cast member, Fey was a common cameo throughout the 2008 election. Fey’s impersonation also decreased Palin’s popularity dramatically. [11]

What started out as a pure entertainment, has crossed over into the realm of real media and information. Many scholars ask, what happens when entertainment becomes not just a tool to engage and communicate, as it has in the past, but the defining and driving component of a contest to win an office that also involves making substantial decisions about domestic and international affairs? [12]

2000 - 2010

2010 - Present day

Twitter

Twitter has become an important platform for political communication in recent years. Roughly one-quarter of American adults use Twitter. In 2020 and 2021, one-third of English-language tweets were political in nature. [13] The majority of these political tweets are produced by a minority of users, specifically, those 50 and older. [13] Former president Donald Trump used Twitter prolifically during his campaign and presidency. He sent more than 26,000 tweets throughout his presidency which provided a continuous account of his thinking on a variety of issues. [14] He was eventually banned from the platform but rejoined recently after Twitter rebranded as X. [15]

Examples of Politainment outside of the United States

Peru

TikTok has become one of the most used social media platforms for specifically Generation Z, but the reach has spread amongst all generations. As of July 2023, 37.3% of TikTok users are between the ages of 18-24. [16] The mass utilization of this app has created concerns regarding how it is used in elections and rallying voters through short clips. In Peru, politicians have turned to TikTok in an effort to reach their very young voter base. [17] In the last election, many candidates took to promoting themselves on TikTok as a means of simply getting their message out. Although in Peru, TikTok may not have been as successful as politicians had hoped, their use of the platform demonstrated a cultural shift in how politianment is used to reach audiences of many ages.

Mexico

In Mexico, politainment has emerged on YouTube as an accessible avenue for journalists and the public to discuss politics in new ways outside of the mainstream media. Most political entertainment YouTube channels in Mexico are run by independent commentators [18] .The need for these political entertainment channels that are more based in cultural and comedic values is rooted in the distrust in mainstream news channels. [19] These new outlets that offer news mixed with political entertainment helps to create an environment in which people can feel at ease that they are receiving unbiased news while also enjoying what they are watching.

See also

Related Research Articles

Video clips refer to mostly short videos, which are usually silly jokes and funny clips, often from movies or entertainment videos such as those on YouTube. Short videos on TikTok and YouTube often influence popular culture and internet trends. Such clips are usually taken out of context and have many gags in them. Sometimes they can be used to attract the public to the user's other accounts or their long-form videos. The term is also used more loosely to mean any video program, including a full program, uploaded onto a website or other medium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fireside chats</span> Series of radio broadcasts by United States president Franklin D. Roosevelt

The fireside chats were a series of evening radio addresses given by Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, between 1933 and 1944. Roosevelt spoke with familiarity to millions of Americans about recovery from the Great Depression, the promulgation of the Emergency Banking Act in response to the banking crisis, the 1936 recession, New Deal initiatives, and the course of World War II. On radio, he quelled rumors, countered conservative-dominated newspapers, and explained his policies directly to the American people. His tone and demeanor communicated self-assurance during times of despair and uncertainty. Roosevelt was regarded as an effective communicator on radio, and the fireside chats kept him in high public regard throughout his presidency. Their introduction was later described as a "revolutionary experiment with a nascent media platform."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Political satire</span> Political commentary in a style of humor based on parody

Political satire is a type of satire that specializes in gaining entertainment from politics. Political satire can also act as a tool for advancing political arguments in conditions where political speech and dissent are banned.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Social media</span> Virtual online communities

Social media are interactive technologies that facilitate the creation, sharing and aggregation of content, ideas, interests, and other forms of expression through virtual communities and networks. Social media refer to new forms of media that involve interactive participation. While challenges to the definition of social media arise due to the variety of stand-alone and built-in social media services currently available, there are some common features:

  1. Social media apps are online platforms that enable users to create and share content and participate in social networking.
  2. User-generated content—such as text posts or comments, digital photos or videos, and data generated through all online interactions—is the lifeblood of social media.
  3. Users create service-specific profiles for the website or app that are designed and maintained by the social media organization.
  4. Social media helps the development of online social networks by connecting a user's profile with those of other individuals or groups.
<span class="mw-page-title-main">Weekly address of the president of the United States</span> Regular radio speech of the American president

The weekly address of the president of the United States is the weekly speech by the president of the United States to the nation. Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first U.S. president to deliver such radio addresses. Ronald Reagan revived the practice of delivering a weekly Saturday radio broadcast in 1982, and his successors all continued the practice until Donald Trump ceased doing so seventeen months into his term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Pepper</span> English media personality (born 1989)


Samuel Pepper is an English internet personality. He created his YouTube channel in 2010, accumulating over 2 million subscribers and 55 million video views as of October 2020. He joined TikTok in 2020 and has amassed more than 1 million followers there as of October 2021. Pepper began streaming on Kick in the summer of 2023, where he live streams mostly IRL and Stake.com gambling videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ByteDance</span> Chinese internet technology company

ByteDance Ltd. is a Chinese internet technology company headquartered in Haidian, Beijing and incorporated in the Cayman Islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TikTok</span> Video-focused social media platform

TikTok, whose mainland Chinese counterpart is Douyin, is a short-form video hosting service owned by Chinese internet company ByteDance. It hosts user-submitted videos, which can range in duration from three seconds to 10 minutes. It can be accessed with a smart phone app.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NPC (meme)</span> An insult that implies a person lacks critical thinking

The NPC, derived from non-player character, is an Internet meme that represents people who do not think for themselves or do not make their own decisions; those who lack introspection or intrapersonal communication. The meme gained further viral status on TikTok, with the surge of "NPC Streamers". In terms of politics, it's often been used by those with anti-establishment views to describe those who fail to question authority, "groupthink", or a stance that would display conformity and obedience. The NPC meme, which graphically is based on the Wojak meme, was created in July 2016 by an anonymous author and first published on the imageboard 4chan, where the idea and inspiration behind the meme were introduced.

Social media use in politics refers to the use of online social media platforms in political processes and activities. Political processes and activities include all activities that pertain to the governance of a country or area. This includes political organization, global politics, political corruption, political parties, and political values. The media's primary duty is to present us with information and alert us when events occur. This information may affect what we think and the actions we take. The media can also place pressure on the government to act by signaling a need for intervention or showing that citizens want change

Social media was used extensively in the 2020 United States presidential election. Both incumbent president Donald Trump and Democratic Party nominee Joe Biden's campaigns employed digital-first advertising strategies, prioritizing digital advertising over print advertising in the wake of the pandemic. Trump had previously utilized his Twitter account to reach his voters and make announcements, both during and after the 2016 election. The Democratic Party nominee Joe Biden also made use of social media networks to express his views and opinions on important events such as the Trump administration's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the protests following the murder of George Floyd, and the controversial appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Usage of social media in the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests</span>

The 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests happened as a result of the Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill. Some observed that it is an extension to the 2014 Umbrella Movement, and there are other underlying issues that amounted to such explosive protest, which cover the economic, social and environmental aspects. With the Chinese Government's attempt in turning Hong Kong to a semi-authoritarian regime, it sparked Hong Kong people's dissent as the Chinese Government's intervention would threaten the Rule of Law in Hong Kong. Thus, people in Hong Kong shown their resistance through protesting, and planning through the use of social media have facilitated the social movements..

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on social media</span>

Social media became an active place to interact during the COVID-19 pandemic,following the onset of social distancing. Overall messaging rates had risen by above 50%, according to a study by Facebook's analytics department. Individuals at home used social media to maintain their relationships and access entertainment to pass time faster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taylor Lorenz</span> American technology reporter

Taylor Lorenz is an American journalist. She is a columnist for The Washington Post. She was previously a technology reporter for The New York Times, The Daily Beast, and Business Insider, and social media editor for the Daily Mail. She is particularly known for covering Internet culture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Censorship of TikTok</span> Restriction of access to TikTok by governments and organizations

Many countries have imposed past or ongoing restrictions on the video sharing social network TikTok. Bans from government devices usually stem from national security concerns over potential access of data by the Chinese government. Other bans have cited children's well-being and offensive content such as pornography.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of communication by presidents of the United States</span>

Many different means of communication have been used over the history of communications by presidents of the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Libs of TikTok</span> Far-right and anti-LGBT Twitter account

Libs of TikTok is a handle for various far-right and anti-LGBT social-media accounts operated by Chaya Raichik, a former real estate agent. Raichik uses the accounts to repost content created by left-wing and LGBT people on TikTok, and on other social-media platforms, often with hostile, mocking, or derogatory commentary. The accounts promote hate speech and transphobia, and spread false claims, especially relating to medical care of transgender children. The Twitter account, also known by the handle @LibsofTikTok, has nearly 3 million followers as of February 2024 and has become influential among American conservatives and the political right. Libs of TikTok's social-media accounts have received several temporary suspensions and a permanent suspension from TikTok.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">G. L. DiVittorio</span> American writer and comedian (born 1995)

Gina L. DiVittorio is an American writer, comedian, and political commentator. She is best known for The Pocket Report, a satirical news web series focused on American politics and society that she writes, performs, and edits, and a viral video about the dating app Hinge.

Olivia Julianna is an American political activist, abortion rights advocate, and strategist from Texas. She was formerly a director of politics and government affairs for Gen-Z for Change. Julianna has maintained a heavy social media presence to encourage civic engagement on issues such as abortion rights and climate change. She was named one of the 50 Most Influential of 2022 by Bloomberg Media.

Digital blackface is a term used to describe the phenomenon of non-Black individuals using digital media, such as GIFs, memes, or audio clips featuring Black individuals, to express emotions or convey ideas. This behavior has sparked debate and criticism due to concerns about cultural appropriation and the perpetuation of stereotypes. Digital blackface has been described as "one of the most insidious forms of contemporary racism" and has been compared to historical minstrelsy, while others have dismissed the concept in its entirety.

References

  1. 1 2 Nieland, Jörg-Uwe (2008-06-05), "Politainment", The International Encyclopedia of Communication, Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, doi:10.1002/9781405186407.wbiecp047, ISBN   978-1-4051-8640-7
  2. ↑ Grabe, Maria Elizabeth; Zhou, Shuhua; Barnett, Brooke (December 2001). "Explicating Sensationalism in Television News: Content and the Bells and Whistles of Form". Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media. 45 (4): 635–655. doi:10.1207/s15506878jobem4504_6. ISSN   0883-8151. S2CID   144037288.
  3. ↑ "Dismantling democracy – the right to be entertained". openDemocracy. 2020-06-02. Retrieved 2020-12-11. Recently on the BBC, the Hungarian State Secretary for International Communication, Zoltan Kovacs, ridiculed questions about his leader Victor Orban ruling by decree, calling any kind of criticism of Hungary "political lynching".
  4. ↑ Riegert, Kristina; Collins, Sue (2016-01-04), Politainment, Wiley, pp. 1–11, doi:10.1002/9781118541555.wbiepc157, ISBN   978-1-118-29075-0
  5. ↑ David Schultz, Politainment, 2012
  6. ↑ Mazzoleni, Gianpietro, ed. (2015-11-30). The International Encyclopedia of Political Communication (1 ed.). Wiley. doi:10.1002/9781118541555.wbiepc157. ISBN   978-1-118-29075-0.
  7. ↑ "The Fireside Chats: Roosevelt's Radio Talks". WHHA (en-US). Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  8. ↑ "The History of the Radio Industry in the United States to 1940 – EH.net" . Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  9. 1 2 3 Sterling, Christopher H. 2002. “The Fireside Chats”—President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1944). N.p.: Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/static/programs/national-recording-preservation-board/documents/FiresideChats.pdf .
  10. ↑ "How 'Saturday Night Live' has shaped our politics". NBC News. 2016-09-30. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  11. ↑ "Saturday Night Live's Growing Political Popularity - College of Liberal Arts - Purdue University". www.cla.purdue.edu. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  12. ↑ "The 'Saturday Night Live' Episode That Changed American Politics". Time. 2016-04-15. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  13. 1 2 Smith, Samuel Bestvater, Sono Shah, Gonzalo Rivero and Aaron (2022-06-16). "Politics on Twitter: One-Third of Tweets From U.S. Adults Are Political". Pew Research Center - U.S. Politics & Policy. Retrieved 2023-11-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  14. ↑ Gramlich, Michael Dimock and John (2021-01-29). "How America Changed During Donald Trump's Presidency". Pew Research Center. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  15. ↑ Coster, Helen; Dang, Sheila; Coster, Helen (2023-08-25). "Trump returns to X, formerly Twitter, with mug shot and appeal for donations". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  16. ↑ "Global TikTok user age and gender distribution 2023".
  17. ↑ Cervi, Laura; Tejedor, Santiago; Blesa, Fernando García (2023-05-16). "TikTok and Political Communication: The Latest Frontier of Politainment? A Case Study". Media and Communication. 11 (2): 203–217. doi: 10.17645/mac.v11i2.6390 . ISSN   2183-2439.
  18. ↑ Rodelo, Frida V. (August 9, 2022). "Why Can't We Believe in That? Partisan Political Entertainment in the Mexican YouTube Sphere". Television & New Media. 24 (4): 414–431. doi:10.1177/15274764221117170. ISSN   1527-4764. S2CID   251479771.
  19. ↑ Rodelo, Frida V. (August 9, 2022). "Why Can't We Believe in That? Partisan Political Entertainment in the Mexican YouTube Sphere". Television & New Media. 24 (4): 414–431. doi:10.1177/15274764221117170. ISSN   1527-4764. S2CID   251479771.

Literature


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