Framing, much like its name, is about putting something somewhere. It is often associated with paintings and photographs. But, there is also a type of framing which politicians around the world use often and have been using for many years. In politics, it refers to misleading in such a subtle way that people intend to do what they want. It is not exactly misleading or fooling the audience, but a simple tactic of putting someone’s mind over something. They do not use force or manipulation in this, but just a subtle nudge.
With the politics around the world getting affected by personal motives, framing has become very popular. In simpler words, understand it like this. If someone tells you not to imagine an apple, what is the first thing you think about? Apples. Similarly, when a consequential differentiation happens, politicians get away easily with framing. Often the role of media and television is incorporated as well. Influential politics involves the use of the power of media, the internet, and social media. They carry out purpose-driven tactics to either build propaganda or make everyone focus on something.
Let us learn more about framing in politics and how it affects the world at large.
How Framing in Politics Affects the World?
Disguising public perception and misleading a political audience have always been there. Some famous incidents of framing in politics include fuelling the Asian-American differentiation, islamophobia, racism, etc.
For framing, rhetorical strategies matter a lot. Politicians often target a homogenous group of people (with a similar ideology). They fuel them against a group that has a different ideology or perhaps conflicting ideas. In most cases, it leads to the particular homogenous group falling prey to the beliefs of the politician. This targeting helps them build a loyal audience base and voters. In almost every democracy, framing is there. Because of a multi-party system, countries like Australia, India, the USA, Russia are often the ones with framing in practice.
Several times, framing occurs because of the motive of maintaining International relations. Some friendly nations often form a cartel and target an enemy nation. Framing is like fighting a virtual war behind the doors.
For the role of media and television, framing has gone to new heights. Politicians now rely heavily on propaganda news, tweets, or social media posts. Some rumors are released on purpose. Although the good thing is that such a practice has not gone unnoticed to the new generation. People have called out to propaganda, fake news and social media websites have supported this initiative. Many intellectuals are now aiming for fighting framing. This has led to popular politicians like Trump facing bans on social media.
Hence, framing is not a healthy practice for a democracy. It divides people and misleads them. It is important to remember that tactics and fallacies are not new tools to gain voters and attention. For us, as voters and educated citizens, it is crucial to call out the wrong we see. In the Information Age, it is important to weigh every side of the argument before making your mind.
