Hmmm, is it time to put parameters on the runaway train of election advertising?
Election campaigns always take a heavy toll on my psyche. The non-stop coverage on the evening news and the leader debates, where the candidates deflect all questions and default to their core messages, is exasperating enough. But the no-holds-barred character assassination of the party leaders in TV election advertising is what really wears on me.
We have been dealing with a double dose of this babble here in Ontario with the unnecessary winter provincial election campaign and the anticipation of a federal election, as the Liberals chose a new leader, once Parliament resumes. The provincial election is now in our rear view but the runup to the expected federal election is still gathering steam.
In the interests of our collective mental health, I propose these new election advertising rules.
RULE #1
Election advertising cannot begin until an election has actually been called or triggered. No more jumping the gun.
RULE #2
Election advertising targeting a party leader cannot begin until that person has actually become the party leader (e.g. Mark Carney).
RULE #3
Only one TV ad per week attacking a party leader’s credibility will be permitted. All other ads must refrain from referencing other party leaders and must focus on the platform of the party placing the ad. Ads will be previewed to ensure no subtle digs are embedded in them.
RULE #4
Election ads on TV will be limited to a maximum of one per day, and no more than five in any one week, per party. This applies across all television networks cumulatively.
RULE #5
For every dollar spent on election advertising, the party must donate a dollar to one of a preset list of charitable organizations who have no political affiliation and have not donated to a party’s campaign. Political parties are prohibited from trumpeting how much they have contributed under this rule.
The penalty for violating any of the above rules will be a $50,000 fine. In addition, the leader of the offending party must wear a sandwich board with “We broke the advertising rules” emblazoned on it in public for one week. With each additional infraction, the fine increases in increments of $50,000 and the sandwich board provision increases in increments of one week.
Election campaign advertising has become a runaway train barreling down a whatever-money-can buy railroad. It is time to put the brakes on for the sake of our peace of mind.
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~ Michael Robert Dyet is also the author of Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel (now out of print) which was a double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com .
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Tags: Canadian federal election · election advertising · metaphor · Michael Robert Dyet · Ontario electionNo Comments