Newsnight's Kirsty Wark and Nick Watt discuss Rishi Sunak's response to a racial slur. They also explore the influence of young voters on social media during the election. The podcast delves into political dynamics, memory techniques, and the impact of unofficial influencers on campaigns.
Rishi Sunak expressed hurt and anger at racist slur, sparking conversation on leadership and racism.
Younger voters are reshaping political engagement on social media, driving viral conversations and impacting elections.
Deep dives
Accidental Social Media Influencers: A Political Shift in Online Engagement
Accidental social media influencers, unbeknownst to them, are reshaping political engagement on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. Younger voters, exposed to unofficial content from sources they don't follow, are driving viral conversations. Kate, an advocate for Labour, totalling 18 million views, signifies the impact of authentic online voices over traditional political ads.
Unforeseen Consequences: Virality and Abuse in Online Political Discourse
The phenomenon of going viral, while unexpected, has exposed individuals to sudden notoriety in the political domain. Tolu, a 15-year-old, experienced racist backlash after her TikTok discussing immigration rhetoric gained traction. Misinformation and threats, like Alex facing intimidation over supporting Reform UK, reveal the darker side of this accidental limelight.
Algorithmic Influence: Redefining Political Messaging on Social Media
Algorithms on social media platforms significantly impact the direction of political conversation, particularly for the average user. Content from accidental influencers, tailored to specific demographics, resonates more than traditional political communication. Such shifts raise questions about the regulation and authenticity within political discourse online.
Real vs. Official: The Growing Impact of Organic Political Content
Authenticity trumping sponsored content, organic political narratives crafted by ordinary citizens overshadow traditional party propaganda online. Younger demographics, inundated with user-generated perspectives, find relatability and trust in such content. The blurred lines between influencer culture and political discourse underscore a changing landscape of online engagement.
Today we look at Rishi Sunak saying he was "hurt" and "angry" after a Reform UK canvasser used a racist term to describe him.
Adam is in Glasgow with Newsnight’s Kirsty Wark and Nick Watt to discuss the Conservative Leader’s response and to answer some of your questions.
And Marianna Spring is back with the UK Undercover Voters to look at the influence young people are having on social media during the general election.
You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere
Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Miranda Slade with Gemma Roper and Sam Maclaren. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
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