When it comes to campaign ads, there’s a lot to be wary of. Not only do they interrupt favorite TV shows, sneak into social feeds and infiltrate dinner conversations, but they can also be misleading or false. Campaign videos weren’t always part of presidential cycles. When only nine percent of Americans had televisions in 1950, commercials weren’t a top priority for candidates. By 1960, that number exploded to nearly 90 percent. “The ads that were run are pretty primitive,” said Washington Post Chief Correspondent Dan Balz. “I mean they’re cartoonish, they’re jingles.” It wasn’t until a small girl picking daises in a 1964 ad for Lyndon B. Johnson did political advertising change, ushering in the era of negative campaign advertising. Today, there are a number of ways that campaign ads can use manipulated video — a recent Trump ad uses stock images over testimonials, giving the impression that the on-camera actors are real Trump supporters. So, while you’re watching campaign ads in the 2020 election cycle, keep these three things in mind.
1. Is there a possibility that a politician’s soundbite has been taken out of context and that it’s maybe not the full truth?
2. Ads are trying to convey a particular message. Does this one square with your general perception of the candidate? If not, do some research.
3. Check the source. Campaign ads make references to sources but some are more legitimate than others.
And, of course, let us know if we should look into a potentially misleading ad. Read more about how we classify manipulated video: Subscribe to The Washington Post on YouTube:
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