WITH the official election campaign about to start, the social media space is increasingly dominated by ardent political supporters of candidates and professional trolls or those who earn some money from their endorsements and/or invectives.
The use of social media is not at all intrinsically bad, as through the media whether “social” or “mainstream,” the public may know the character, qualifications and weaknesses — even the past sins — of the candidates.
With face-to-face vetting now being a luxury, considering the prevalence still of the COVID-19 pandemic, people turn to social media, the Internet, cellphone technology and other modern methods in order to get to know better the individuals who are applying for positions of leadership in the government by way of elections.
‘This should clear the air of fake news in various social media
platforms, and is a good example
to emulate for Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, and similar companies.’
It is against this backdrop that we find as relevant Google’s announcement last week that it will not accept election-related advertisements for the 2022 national polls during the campaign period.
In a statement, the com-tech firm said the policy will run from Feb. 8, 2022 until election day itself on May 9, and will apply to election advertisements purchased through Google Ads, Display and Video 360, and shopping platforms that advertisers intend to place on Google and YouTube.
It should be made clear that the tech giant’s latest policy will cover advertisements that promote or oppose any political party or candidate.
The decision of Google to forgo millions of revenues from political ads met praises from Senators Panfilo Lacson and Vicente Sotto III, who are running for president and vice president respectively.
Senator Lacson said it is time that social media platforms take responsibility for whatever information is spread through them in relation to next year’s polls.
Google said it is supporting election-related initiatives that will protect the integrity of the forthcoming elections and encourage the public to vote. It will also “help people access useful and accurate information.”
This should clear the air of fake news in various social media platforms, and is a good example to emulate for Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, and similar companies.
