Are Words Your Weapon of Choice?

By Lili Young

The politics we know today is a tailored narrative created by someone and for someone.

One of the unique qualities modern-day politics has is the media; a constant, inescapable, perpetual stream of (often unverified) information which pervades our lives and informs every one of our decisions. In a world more interconnected than ever before, it is increasingly important for people to gain an understanding of global perspectives and events as our collective choices send ripples across the globe. Whilst the growth of media has allowed this to be possible, it has simultaneously altered the political landscape entirely– it shifts campaign strategies, electoral patterns, and public engagement. Its fundamental tool is language; has this been weaponised? For how long do the benefits of the media outweigh its flaws? And what is its role in determining our views?

Media has brought about change in many ways, the nature of which is often debated; is it positive and helpful, or is it negative and misguiding? As you read this, it is likely that some of you accessed it on the internet. In recent elections, you may have obtained knowledge from your phone. How often have you scrolled on TikTok or Reels to pass time by, and come across a news story that influenced your opinion? The internet’s indomitable presence has led to its extensive use in politics; we now see media being employed as a political tool more than ever before. Consider the impact of reducing complex, nuanced issues such as immigration or ministerial speeches into 15 second videos which are then viewed by millions across the globe. It is surely the distribution of this kind of reductive information which fuels continental shifts in politics, such as what we are currently seeing with populism in Europe. Media has hence become a significant determining factor in voting behaviour which shapes modern-day politics at the most fundamental level. Ultimately, the media has undeniable power and influence through flashy headlines, reductive snippets on social media, and constant access to people across the globe… But is it all bad?

According to the Pew Research Centre, 52% of Americans said that in the build up to the 2024 election they were “generally [finding] it difficult to determine what is true and what is not when getting news about the election”. This demonstrates the impact  abuses of power have in marring the ability of media to spread awareness due to the chaos and ambiguity false news creates. Furthermore, with the next election playing a pivotal role in deciding the future of a country during incredibly divisive times, the dominant parties are making use of the media wherever they can, often in controversial ways. Across the world, people are watching the unparalleled growth of polarisation in US politics and scholars at Boston University argue that the manipulation of social media channels is the driving force behind intensifying this growth. In fact, they have stated that it poses a significant threat to American Democracy as a whole. Biased news broadcasters are taking advantage of their viewers’ loyalty and use ‘opinion’ hosts which can misguide people if presented in a factual tone. A further illustration of the jeopardising role that social media plays in destabilising the very foundation of American democracy can be demonstrated by Trump’s infamous tweets which, according to a congressional inquiry, incited the Capitol riot of January 6. As we know, this was a collective denial of the 2020 election results and the incumbent President’s loss– a shocking manipulation and divisive act by the leader of the United States; spreading misinformation through the media to create an insurrection.

"Certainly, the media has played a dangerous role within American politics, inciting violence, division, promoting misinformation, and impacting the workings of their democracy."

Elif Shafak’s essay in the Financial Times’ Democracy describes today as a “linguistic crisis” where the abuse of the internet has led to “words [having] become increasingly contested. Words are used like weapons…”. This idea has been thoroughly illustrated in the previous example and can be seen in the UK, having influenced the riots which ravaged our streets earlier this year. Media plays a key role in informing the public’s perspective and debates around current issues, in particular migration. In this case, the language of politicians and media platforms encouraged further division within highly contentious debates. The results of this can be seen in that the first of the riots were incited by false claims on Reddit, and continued to grow through encouraging hatred and disinformation which tore through communities across the United Kingdom this summer. Interestingly, whilst the algorithm within social media is promoting this fragmentation, it also encouraged acts of kindness following the riots; promoting acts of community in the form of tidying up streets, organising anti-racist protests, and promoting general awareness. Therefore, although the media can clearly create violence, it can also be used to bring people together in times of conflict.

However, whilst social media can and has been used to create positive change through society, it is overshadowed by the distressing and prevalent issue of media control and state censorship. The influential power of the media is best understood and exploited by governments and those in power. Just earlier this month, a protest in which thousands of Hungarians advocated for an independent news agency as they demanded an end to the so-called “propaganda machine” supported by the government. The media control and bias in Hungary (as well as other nations) is contributing to the participation crisis hitting countless countries around the world. This growing apathy is negatively impacting the legitimacy of democracy and political systems as it mirrors a loss in overall faith or trust in governments as a whole. With even a UN Special Rapporteur describing Hungary as having a “distorted media environment”, one must consider where else this environment may be festering.

The media now is characterised by algorithms propagating disinformation which is becoming increasingly difficult to navigate through. In order for the benefits of the media to be sustained, it’s time to question the media’s role in politics and whether this evolution has led to irreversible damage to our political and legal systems alike. A consciousness of the words we use and the impact this can have is imperative in the volatile and interwoven political world we live in today, and must be paired with a critical thought process. Greater interconnectivity means the rapid spread of all ideas, and easier access to information means easier access to disinformation. This is the delicate balance we must grapple with in politics today.

Image: Flickr