Vlog: Video Blog
Satire: Poking fun
Social media has become an integrated part of people's lives. With 200 million people on Facebook alone it's hard to ignore this latest social trend of online networking and communication.
Since sites like Facebook, MySpace and Twitter offer the opportunity to communicate to a mass audience in a viral way, and it is slowly being adopted by businesses, artists and even dare I say politicians.
From the standard and boring video posts of Prime Minster John Howard addressing Australia on policies to videos created to support Barack Obama and his presidential campaign entering into the social media world though a worth wild opportunity can be a double edged sword.
You'll never know with the Media and there of.
Youtube is the new online equivalent to television. From a one time only television address,now there is more permanent and viral way of communicating messages online via Youtube and other video streaming sites. By utilizing online videos, politicians can voice key ideas and messages to target publics/areas. (e.g.: Obama posting on Youtube to add emphasis to his proposed healthcare plans in 2010)
There are 3 main ways in which Youtube can be used in politics:
Voicing Key Opinions and Messages
- Key Address to a public audience by the heads of parties. Strong, fact relaying delivery form with a focus on persuasion and influence.
Barack Obama Address [http://www.youtube.com/user/barackobamadotcom?blend=1&ob=4#p/c/D6B5840B179F041E/29/_WWBgN1vq9w]
Negative Political Tactics
- Videos can be created and spread virally to exploit faults in campaigns or ideologies.
Hilary Clinton - 1984, Apple inspired Ad [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6h3G-lMZxjo ]
Barack Obama's political camp created this advert, mirroring the Apple Super Bowl Ad that focuses on imagery in 1984. A d
Unintentional Satire
- Using Youtube once again in a negative and/or satirical way, parties can create and stream popular videos to poke fun at political figures. The main reason is to poke fun at content and behavior displayed by politicians. Two examples of this are the Kevin Rudd's 'Ear Wax' incident and Tina Fey's SNL Sarah Palin skit. (I thought I'd upload these videos just because they are hilarious!)
Tina Fey Sarah Palin Interview Skit
Kevin Rudd Ear Wax Incident
With these different ways of utilizing video stream websites like Youtube, the question arises 'Does the pros outweigh the cons associated with Youtube and video streaming?
I think that its a positive step to adopt a more popular medium of communication to address a particular public group. Though on the flip side all actions which are deemed funny and embarrassing have the potential to spread like fire online.
