Politicians Campaign on Social Media During Election Silent Day
In brief
- Politicians are reportedly continuing to campaign on social media platforms on the election silent day.
- This practice creates a legal grey area regarding traditional election campaigning rules.
- NET News published a campaign message from a Nationalist Party candidate on the silent day.
As Malta observes the traditional election silent day ahead of Saturday's polls, reports indicate that politicians are continuing to campaign through social media. This activity raises questions about the enforcement of election rules in the digital age.
The silent day, which precedes the opening of polling stations, is intended to give voters a period of reflection free from political persuasion. However, the widespread use of social media platforms has introduced a new challenge to these long-standing regulations.
Times of Malta highlighted that campaigning on social media creates a legal grey area. While traditional forms of campaigning, such as rallies and broadcast advertisements, are strictly prohibited, the rules surrounding online political activity are less clear.
An example of this online activity was seen on NET News, which published a campaign message from Nationalist Party candidate Alex Borg. The message urged voters to "vote for change in our country's future," appearing on the silent day itself.
The general election is scheduled to take place tomorrow, Saturday, with voting opening at 7 AM. Earlier, Fil-Qosor reported on Malta's preparations for the Saturday polls, including the voting rules announced by the Electoral Commission.
The Spin Room
Medium media divide. Times of Malta highlighted the issue of politicians campaigning on social media during the election silent day, noting the legal ambiguity. NET News published a campaign message from a Nationalist Party candidate on the same day, directly illustrating the phenomenon.
- Times of Malta: Focused on the general trend of politicians using social media for campaigning on silent day and the legal grey area this creates.
- NET News: Published a direct campaign message from a Nationalist Party candidate on the silent day.