taz.de
German Election Campaign: Digital and Analog Strategies Intertwine
The 2024 German election campaign features a complex interplay of online and offline strategies; while social media's impact is undeniable, particularly regarding migration and AI-generated content, its influence on election outcomes is not yet fully understood.
- How significantly will the integration of online and offline campaigning influence the outcome of the 2024 German winter election?
- The 2024 German winter election campaign's outcome won't be solely determined by digital platforms; instead, a close interplay between online and offline campaigning is crucial. Analog events are amplified on social media, generating news cycles across various platforms, impacting public perception. While social media can't win elections, as seen with Armin Laschet in 2021, negative online narratives can significantly harm campaigns.
- Which political parties are most effectively leveraging social media platforms, and how are their strategies impacting public perception and voter engagement?
- Social media's influence is evident in the current campaign, particularly regarding migration, a highly marketable issue consistently present in the public discourse. Direct party-citizen communication, exemplified by Habeck's "Küchentisch-Kampagne," is increasing, yet its impact on polls remains limited. Platform-specific party success varies: AfD leads on Facebook and TikTok, while Greens and FDP dominate Instagram.
- What are the potential long-term effects of unregulated AI-generated content and the absence of systematic fact-checking on social media platforms on the integrity of future elections?
- The absence of systematic fact-checking on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, coupled with the rise of AI-generated content (particularly by the AfD, despite a pledge by most parties to avoid it), presents a significant challenge. While mass deception isn't yet widespread, AI's potential to amplify biases and manipulate emotional responses poses a growing threat to democratic processes. The unregulated use of AI in politics may intensify the spread of misinformation and affect voter behavior.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the discussion around social media's impact on the election, often highlighting negative aspects like the spread of misinformation and the amplification of certain narratives. While acknowledging positive uses, the overall tone leans towards portraying social media as a largely detrimental force.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral, although certain phrases like 'hochgekocht' (overblown) when discussing the Laschet incident subtly convey a negative connotation. The description of AfD's use of AI as "voll durchgestartet" (fully launched) could be seen as slightly positive in comparison to other parties.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the role of social media in the election, but omits discussion of traditional media's influence and the potential biases within those platforms. It also doesn't explore the impact of campaign finance or other factors influencing voter behavior.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a false dichotomy by repeatedly contrasting the 'digital' and 'analog' realms as separate entities, when in reality, they are intertwined and influence each other. This simplification overlooks the complexities of media interactions.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights how social media, particularly Facebook and Instagram, is used to spread misinformation and divisive narratives, disproportionately impacting marginalized communities and potentially exacerbating existing inequalities. The lack of fact-checking and the use of AI-generated content to amplify certain narratives (e.g., visualizing crime to influence perceptions) further contributes to this negative impact. The AfD's prominent use of social media and its rejection of a pledge to avoid AI-generated content in campaigning is particularly concerning in this regard.