The upcoming elections in Edo and Ondo States have dominated the media space in Nigeria in recent time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The IndependentNational Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed September 19, 2020<\/a> for the Governorship election in Edo State and October 10, 2020<\/a> for that of Ondo State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the election dates draw nearer, the Nigerian media have continued to focus more on the two states, with political actors competing to occupy the media space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Already, Nigerians, especially keen observers of the political intrigues in Edo and Ondo, are bombarded with information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So much propaganda<\/a> (information\u2014facts, arguments, rumours, half-truths, or lies\u2014to influence public opinion) is flying through the media. A recent article, by Iwok Iniobong<\/a> titled \u201cEdo, Ondo guber: Why politicians, parties must tread softly,\u201d posited that politicians in Edo and Ondo campaigns had deviated from their manifestos in favour of spreading misinformation and disinformation. \u201cIf you observe very well, presentation of manifestos is no longer the in-thing, but the campaign is about use of base language and innuendos against opponents,\u201d Iniobong said.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is a concern that people with poorly developed or nonexistent media literacy skills may be unable to detect harmful political information in the media, especially of a biased or misleading nature, designed to sway votes in the states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the sake of clarity,\u00a0 propaganda<\/a> in this context means ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one’s cause or to damage an opposing cause.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n For instance, there were several opposing information circulated through the media, particularly the social media, on the attack<\/a> on Governor Godwin Obaseki\u2019s entourage at the Oba of Benin Palace.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council, Chief Dan Orbih, alleged<\/a> that \u201cthe attack was a plot to eliminate Governor Obaseki, national officials of PDP and some PDP governors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Conversely, the Vice Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee of the All Progressives Congress\u2019 (APC) National Campaign Council, Mr. Patrick Obahiagbon, alleged<\/a> that the PDP was responsible for the attack and that Governor Obaseki was planning to arrest and detain the former National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, on the eve of the election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The attack became a tool for political propaganda, with both parties trading blames to sway public opinion to their favour, at the expense of selling their manifestos to the people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is worth stating that the propaganda on Edo and Ondo elections may pose danger to democracy, considering that deliberateness and a relatively heavy emphasis on manipulation distinguish propaganda from truthful information or the free and easy exchange of ideas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Emeritus Professor of Political Science, Bruce Lannes Smith, explains<\/a> that propagandists (in this context, political actors in Edo and Ondo States, including stakeholders outside the states) have a specific goal or set of goals. To achieve these, they deliberately select facts, arguments, and displays of symbols and present them in ways they think will have the most effect.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Politicians invest heavily on signs<\/a> and symbols<\/a> during campaigns to brainwash<\/a> voters. These<\/a> include sounds, such as words, music, religious sermons, gestures (such as kneeling, a thumbed nose), postures (a weary slump, folded arms, a sit-down, an aristocratic bearing), structures (political offices, highly decorated campaign grounds), items of clothing ( political uniforms, branded shirts and caps), visual signs (a poster, a flag, a picket sign, a badge, a printed page, a message scrawled on a wall), etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bearing this in mind and being conscious of the reality that some media consumers may not have the required media literacy to easily detect propaganda from the legion of information in the media, here are the eight ways to easily detect propaganda in the media: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Politicians veil propaganda as information in the form of bandwagon<\/a>. The idea here is to convey the notion that if you don’t get aboard you will be left out. A media literate consumer should watch out for politicians who direct their appeals to groups held together by common ties. For instance, politicians at subnational levels in Nigeria are likely to rely on bandwagon effects if their party is in charge at the federal level. It is widely shared that the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari contributed to the victory of some governors and lawmakers. A media literate person should be able to notice media messages designed to appeal to sentiments of voters based on common ties, rather than merits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be careful of politicians who appeal to your hate and fear.\u00a0 They do name calling<\/a> by the use of negative words or labels to create prejudice against some person, group or idea. For instance, Dr. Charles Omorodion\u2019s article titled \u201cEdo 2020: Beware of Obaseki\u2019s perfidy, betrayal and Judas Kiss!\u201d published<\/a> on Bloomshire stated that \u201cas a betrayal, in a deeper sense, Obaseki is sending an ominous signal of how little he cares about, or values his relationship with APC.\u201d A media literate person should judge Obaseki beyond the tag of \u201ca betrayer.\u201d Name calling cuts across all the political campaigners in Edo and Ondo States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Politicians deploying testimonial<\/a> propaganda use experts, celebrities, or perceived opinion leaders to offer reasons why they are best suited to be elected.\u00a0 As the elections in Edo and Ondo States draw nearer, you are likely to see more celebrity endorsements of candidates. For instance, a national newspaper recently reported<\/a> that\u00a0 teachers in Ondo State under the auspices of the National Network of Teachers for Good Governance and Quality Education endorsed Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for a second term in office. A media literate news consumer reasons beyond such propaganda and focuses more on Governor Akeredolu\u2019s manifesto for his second term.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Politicians usually use glittering generalities<\/a> to appeal to the people\u2019s emotions of love, generosity, and brotherhood. Glittering generalities are<\/a> vague, broad statements that connect with the audience’s beliefs and values. They really don’t say anything substantive. Slogans make great examples. For instance, if you are an APC or PDP supporter, a politician may win your admiration and vote by merely chanting PDP\u2019s slogan: \u201cpower to the people\u201d or that of the APC:\u00a0 \u201cchange\u201d or \u201cprogress.\u201d The trick is for a media literate person to reason beyond the slogans to make informed political decisions.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Card stacking<\/a> involves \u201cthe selection and use of facts or falsehoods, illustrations or distractions, and logical or illogical statements to give the best or the worst possible case for an idea, programme, person, or product.” The danger here is that if you are not familiar with the subject, you might not be able to detect a lie. It involves<\/a> deploying all of the arts of deception<\/a> to win support by using half-truths and featuring only the good elements. For instance, several card stacking information<\/a> are in the media concerning Adams Oshiomhole\u2019s involvement in political campaigns for the forthcoming election in Edo State. The recommendation is that if you doubt a claim by a politician, seek truth by verifying the claims.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Politicians use euphemism <\/a>to reduce the gravity of their own derelictions. When politicians talk about their lives, work and family, they are more likely to use words that are bland and euphemistic<\/a> to pacify voters to make an unpleasant reality more palatable. When inundated with political information from Edo and Ondo, watch the language the contestants use to describe themselves. For instance, APC candidate in Edo State, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, said<\/a> it was not in his \u201ccharacter to deal with anyone.\u201d This may be true, but bland at the same time. Media literate news consumers must dig deeper.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nBandwagon veiled as information<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Name calling<\/strong> as against genuine manifestos<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Reliance on testimonial<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Use of glittering generalities in media messages<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Card stacking for deception<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Deployment of euphemisms<\/strong> to hide dirts<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Use of symbols to deceive<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n