Voters' Love-Hate Relationship with Negative Ads Perpetuates Use

Mudslinging may seem dirty, but it works.

“Negative ads are continually used because it works,” said Scott Huffmon, founder of the Social & Behavioral Research Lab at Winthrop University.  “America hates negative ads.  America responds to negative ads.”

Politicians often seek an advantage by referring to their opponents’ negative aspects rather than highlighting the positive attributes of their own campaign.  The technique of using attack ads has become commonplace during political elections.

According to Huffmon, negative ads have the ability to rally supporters of a particular candidate or dissuade undecided voters from supporting their opponent, leaving an impression on every viewer.

“People say it’s distasteful, it’s horrible, but in the end, from what’s called the impression driven model of public opinion, people often don’t remember specifics,” said Huffmon.  “They just remember the impression that’s left, and after a while of hearing ‘this person’s a dirt bag’ they have a bad impression of them even if they’re not exactly sure why.”

Attack ads are continuously used not only because they leave an impact on viewers, but also due to politicians being within legal rights to distribute them.  Even though many attack ads become controversial, legally TV stations can’t deny them.

For instance, Democratic incumbent Mark Pryor sponsored an ad, “Emergency Response,” that claims his challenger, Republican Tom Cotton, voted against preparing America for pandemics like Ebola.  Cotton is also accused of choosing tax cuts for billionaires over Arkansas and choosing to not to protect families.

According to “The Law of Publication Communication” by Kent Middleton and William Lee,  “a broadcast station has no control over the content of programming aired by political candidates.” 

The book continues to say the Section 315 of the Communications Act of 1934 prohibits the censorship of candidates from broadcasters regardless of whether “their statements are racist, vulgar or defamatory.”

Although the Federal Communications Commission protects politicians from broadcasters they are not exempt from others taking legal action against their attack ads.

While plaintiffs have the ability to sue they must prove the ad to be false in order to win their case.

However, according to Nathaniel Frederick, assistant professor of mass communication at Winthrop University, it is challenging for plaintiffs to win a libel case.

“It’s difficult to sue because the idea is that political campaigns are a part of a robust deliberation, discussion of issues or character of the other person,” said Frederick.  “That type of speech can get heated.  Politicians have willingly put themselves in the spotlight and that spotlight is only increased during an election.  It seems difficult for a politician to win a libel suit.”

Negative ads continue to be aired even though they are often found to not be truthful or they contain half-truths.

“Listened,” an ad released by Cotton, accuses President Obama of hijacking the farm bill and making it a food stamp bill.  However, according to Arthur Delaney of the Huffington Post, food stamps have been apart of the farm bill for decades as a logrolling arrangement between rural and urban lawmakers.  Rural Republicans get farm subsidies and city Democrats receive food stamps for their constituents.

It’s not required for ads of this nature to be retracted and politicians aren’t held accountable if their ads contain falsities.

“It may seem deceptive, but it’s still protected because of free speech,” said Frederick.  “Those lies may mislead voters, but in the context of democracy and free press the press is supposed to serve as a watch dog of government officials, to do the work to uncover who is lying.”

While Politicians promote their own negative ads during election campaigns there are also negative ads that aren’t sponsored or approved by politicians.

For instance, an ad by Crossroads GPS, a nonprofit corporation, attacks Pryor’s dedication to his senior citizen constituents. Their ad “Double Standards” accuses Pryor of wanting to “overhaul” social security by increasing the retirement age, and trying to reward illegal immigrants by giving them social security.

According to Frederick, politicians are not associated with negative ads that are published by independent organizations and PACs. This protects politicians from possible backlash of a negative ad that isn’t sponsored by them and saves them money.

It is estimated that at the end of the midterm elections roughly $4 billion will have been spent on mainly TV advertisements. 

The U.S. Senate race in Arkansas has topped the $20 million mark in TV ads and, according to Peter Urban of Arkansas News, this Senate race ranks seventh nationally in ad spending.

The current spending rates for political TV ads, coupled with the effectiveness of negative ads, may validate that negative ads could continue to prevail as a main campaign tactic for many elections to come.

Winthrop Speak of the Times: 50 Years of Integration

A panel of integration forerunners spoke to the Winthrop community about their experiences as African American students and staff during the height of racial tension 50 years ago.

            In 1964, Winthrop University admitted Dr. Cynthia Roddey and Delores Johnson Hurt as the first black graduate and undergraduate students. Six years later, the first black librarians, Ellen Owens and Dorothy Barber, were hired and began their 44-year career at Winthrop. 

            All four panelists agreed that although they did not initially choose Winthrop, they are now thankful that they did.

            “Studying at Winthrop allowed me to go on to Columbia University to study journalism in New York,” Hurt said.

            “We didn’t come in trying to be the first of anything, we just wanted a job,” Owens said.  “We got a job that was good to us and good for us.”

            A large amount of students turned out at the event to gain insight on what Winthrop was like 50 years ago.

            “I have a passion for African American history, especially at the institution I attend,” said Winthrop student Jay Greathouse. “I expect to get knowledge about the struggle they endured and how they paved the way.”

            According to the panelists, Winthrop’s integration was somewhat peaceful in comparison to other parts of the South.

            While it may have been peaceful, they still felt isolated from their white peers.

            “I couldn’t help but shed a few tears because I was alone,” Hurt said. 

            Towards the end of the luncheon, students had the opportunity to further question the ladies.

“How would you want African American students to carry themselves at Winthrop today,” asked student body vice president Jarvais Jackson.

            Hurt said she wanted African American students to enjoy themselves and become more involved on campus.  

             “The door has been opened, all [students] have to do is just walk through the door,” Barber said.

“We have to set the bar higher, not only here at home but all over the world,” Roddey said.

Recent Technology Enables a New Form of Harassment

During the past few decades the expansion of the digital industry has created a society that is immersed in high-tech electronics that have changed the way people interact with each other.

Working to Halt Online Abuse, a volunteer organization that fights to contend against online harassment by educating the general public claims “with the progression of our society, and ultimately the expansion of the internet, we are now seeing a new medium for abuse.”  Cyberstalking is the new medium.

A common misconception about cyberstalking is that it is following someone’s activities via social media, although according to Norton, an Internet security software provider, this is not entirely the case.  According to Norton cyberstalking can be expanded to also include false accusations, monitoring threats, identity theft, data destruction or manipulation, and the exploitation of minors.

“Cyber stalkers use email, instant messages, phone calls, and other communication devices to stalk,” the Norton Security website says.

The Internet provides an avenue for harassers to be able to create anonymity, which enhances the intimidation and makes tracing the activity more difficult to trace.  Although, victims are put in greater physical danger when combine with real world stalking; victims of domestic violence are often cyberstalking victims.

According to a bill passed in 2005, the South Carolina legislative amended a section their Code of Laws that pertains to stalking and harassment to include cyberstalking.  The bill defines cyberstalking as the “use of an electronic communication or electronic mail to unlawfully harass or stalk another person.”

This law, the South Carolina Code of Laws 16-3-1700, currently includes electronic communication in its definition of 2^nd degree harassment, which “may include, but not limited to, verbal, written, or electronic contact that is initiated maintained or repeated.”

If convicted of 2^nd degree harassment suspects are guilty of a misdemeanor and will be fined no more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned no more than a year.  Harassers can be charged with both penalties if they have had prior convictions of harassment or stalking within 10 years, or if they acted against a restraining order that prohibited the harassment.

            The motto of the Winthrop University Campus Police concerning harassment is “Don’t be a victim!  Be proactive not reactive!”

“As soon as it happens tell the person to stop,” said Sergeant James Howe of the Winthrop campus police.  “Don’t let it fester, be proactive and deal with it early on to keep it from spinning out of control.”

According to Howe there have been 5 reported cases of cyberharassment so far in 2014, but previously in 2012 there were no incidents reported. 

The Winthrop campus police provide several tips when dealing with harassment and stalking on their website.  For instance they suggest that victims document each encounter with the alleged suspect and save messages for evidence purposes.

“Let us know what’s going on by filing a complaint as soon as it happens,” said Howe.  “We will investigate what’s going on and make contact with the individual.  If there is continued contact we will see if it meets the elements of the crime.”

Under South Carolina law harassment is defined as a pattern of intentional, substantial and unreasonable intrusion into the private life of a targeted person; serves no legitimate purpose and causes the person mental or emotional distress.

 “If elements of a crime are present then there is probable cause and we will get a warrant for arrest,” said Howe.

Cyberstalking Crime Sources

Here are just a few sources for the cyberstalking crime article that is soon to come.

During the past few decades the expansion of the digital industry has created a society that is surrounded high-tech electronics that have changed the way people interact with each other.

Working to Halt Online Abuse, a volunteer organization fights to contend against online harassment by educating the general public.  WHO@ claims that “with the progression of our society, and ultimately the expansion of the internet, we are now seeing a new medium for abuse.”  Cyberstalking is the new medium.

A common misconception about cyberstalking is that it is following someone’s activities via social media, although according to Norton, an Internet security software provider, this is not entirely the case.  According to Norton cyberstalking can be expanded to also include false accusations, monitoring threats, identity theft, data destruction or manipulation, and the exploitation of minors.

“Cyber stalkers use email, instant messages, phone calls, and other communication devices to stalk,” the Norton Security website says.

“As soon as it happens tell the person to stop,” says Sergeant James Howe.  Don’t let it filter, be proactive and deal with it early on to keep from spinning out of control.

According to a bill passed in 2005 the South Carolina legislative amended their Code of Laws, which relates to stalking and harassment, to include cyberstalking.  The bill defines cyberstalking as the “use of an electronic communication or electronic mail to unlawfully harass or stalk another person.”

Documentary

Relay For Life

The infographic provided contains facts about Relay for Life and cancer.  The video features Winthrop students, Chandler Robinson, Jaleel Reeves, and DeVonte Walker.  Music in the video is Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen's "Good time."  Enjoy!

Here is Youtube link to the video.

Winthrop University students, faculty, and Rock Hill community members came out on April 20^th for the annual Relay for Life event.  Every year people from the community gather to Winthrop’s campus to organize an overnight community fundraising walk.  People can sign up to participate in teams or as individuals to walk in support or in remembrance of a loved one who was diagnosed with cancer.  The Relay for Life movement has grown since 1985 into a worldwide phenomenon, raising more than $4 billion to fight cancer.

The event usually takes place outdoors, but due to rain the location was moved to the West Center gym.  Cloudy skies did not damper the spirits of those partaking in the festivities.  Popular upbeat music and smiling faces lit the gym with the celebratory feelings of people coming together in order for support of cancer research.

To officially begin the celebration Laura Wilt, a representative of Winthrop’s Colleges Against Cancer organization, opened with a speech.  “We are here to raise money for the American Cancer Society and to increase cancer awareness,” she said, “remember the loved one’s we have lost to the disease as we walk along with survivors to grieve and find healing.”

The end of her speech signaled for the cancer survivors to take the first lap.  As the survivors traveled across the track, the sound of cheers reverberated throughout the gym congratulating them for their fight against cancer.  

As the night progressed more people started coming in to join in the ceremony, as they were drawn to the music and laughter.  Close to midnight the Luminaria Ceremony, honors the loved ones who have passed or are fighting the disease, began.  The moods of the crowd were simultaneously somber and hope full as candles were lit within the gym.  Winthrop University student Ariel Thompson stated that “this is a very important event for me and I take part in it because I lost my mom to cancer a few years ago.”

  At the close of the ceremony as the sun began to come up the Fight Back Ceremony took place.  This final ceremony allows participants to take a final lap and pledge to take action and spread awareness of cancer research, treatments, and prevention.   Blair Ligon, a Winthrop faculty member, expressed that she was “so proud to see her contributions to the American Cancer Society over the years in effect, and I can’t wait to do this again.”

 

Reporter's Notebook

This is an audio post interviewing sophomore Tamber Manigault discussing the silk worms on campus.  This audio post, http://snack.to/ahm0g9jc, features natural sound for the interview.

Widget Maker

Culinary Artist

This video features Megan Brown a graduate of Johnson and Wales University.  The video was edited to show her cooking skills off as she describes her passion for cooking.  Enjoy!