In our last article, we mentioned that there is a process that targets our psychology through virtual fears and aims to darken our hope for the future of politics.
Of course, we know that there are many articles, movies and news productions that can be given as examples. In this sense, it is a known situation that critical media analysis offers a broad perspective for its enthusiasts.
However, since I specifically stated that I will talk about two separate films on the subject in our article, we are dedicating our column to this subject today.
The first of these productions is the movie titled "Our Brand is Crisis", which was released in 2015.
I show this movie as an example because it contains serious clues and messages in terms of showing how a consultant hired to campaign in the elections to be held in a South American country can manipulate the election process with a virtual agenda.
In order for the candidate who is far behind in the poll results to win, the advisor, who emphasized the "crisis" rhetoric, was not content with this and prepared fake documents that would show his strong opponent as a Hitler fan. His moves, such as putting his well-known friends into action and making an unfavorable statement, reveal a critical approach to how the election processes around the world actually go.
As the political parties should pay attention to in the election processes; Messages of “acting like one of their own” and “creating an image” that are promising for the future stand out in front of the voters.
Crucial messages are located between the lines. For example, sentences such as “if voting changed anything, they would ban it”, “I know they won't believe it, but I want to watch the opponent deny it”, “if voters are looking for hope, they always prefer the new man, but when they are afraid, they look for a leader suitable for the war period” can be given as examples.
In this sense, another movie is titled “Wag the Dog”. In this film, striking messages are given about how perceptions are managed in election campaigns. The focus of the film is the presentation of the news that the US president, who is seen to lose the election according to the poll results, attacked a country (Albania) on the grounds that it contains a nuclear threat, in order to stir up national feelings.
In fact, there is neither such an attack nor a nuclear threat. However, the American public is made to believe in the existence of war, with the virtual war footage shot by a Hollywood producer in the studio environment, which is served to the mainstream media.
We are not saying that it is okay, because what has been brought to the head of Iraq and Afghanistan with the claim of a non-existent threat is obvious!
Anyway, the reason why I gave these movies as examples; This is because these images depicted in movies do not stay on the stage only, and many of us are exposed to these perception managements in many areas.
For example, the extent of the economic crisis in Turkey is obvious. If a year ago, before the price hikes, someone had said, "Diesel prices, food prices will triple, ten times," it was assumed that the ruling party would be unable to take any action because of the reaction this process would create.
But the process we live in shows that; goose foot is not at all what it is thought to be!
The crossover results revealed by the research companies show that there is still no significant change in the positioning of the ruling party voters despite this process.
There can be many analyzes that can be made regarding the reasons for this. However, the main point I want to focus on is; the existence of some studied issues such as global threat perception, strong leader and country image is clearly seen in the last period we live in.
We don't talk about the economy, we just live!
Probably, the 2023 elections will be carried out on these issues. Therefore, political parties have an obligation to prepare for these manipulation processes.
Most important of all; Statements that will cause a climate of fear among the electorate of the ruling party, statements or images that the gains will be lost may provide motivation within the opposition parties, but they do not seem to yield results beyond supporting polarization.