How do selectively edited videos influence voter perception?

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Selectively Edited Videos Effectively Shape Voter Perceptions by Exploiting Pre-existing Beliefs

Selectively edited videos, often termed "cheapfakes," are proving to be an effective tool in influencing voter perception, particularly concerning perceptions of age and capability in political figures. These videos work by recontextualizing or trimming footage in ways that are subtly misleading, making them more persuasive than entirely fabricated content. Their impact is amplified when the manipulated content aligns with existing public sentiments or concerns, creating a potent form of political communication.
The Mechanism of "Cheapfake" Influence

The effectiveness of selectively edited videos lies in their ability to manipulate context without outright fabrication. Unlike deepfakes or entirely false content, "cheapfakes" often use authentic footage that is then truncated, reordered, or presented without crucial surrounding information. This makes it harder for viewers to immediately identify the manipulation, especially when the edited clip appears to confirm pre-existing biases or beliefs about a candidate. For instance, videos showing President Biden appearing to "freeze" or lose control, which were amplified by conservative media, were effective because they tapped into existing concerns about his age and fitness for office.
Amplification Through Pre-existing Sentiments

The persuasive power of these edited videos is significantly enhanced when they resonate with a general sentiment already present in the public consciousness. As Zeve Sanderson, executive director of New York University’s Center for Social Media and Politics, noted, the spread of "cheapfakes" concerning Biden's age is more likely because there are already real clips that contribute to a perception of him being older. This alignment with existing beliefs makes viewers more inclined to accept the misrepresented or out-of-context footage at face value, as it seems to corroborate what they already suspect or feel. This strategy is described as a "playbook" that political campaigns recognize as highly effective.
Real-World Examples of Deceptive Editing

Several instances highlight how this tactic is employed. For example, a video shared by the "RNC Research" account, which originates from the Republican National Committee, showed President Biden hunching over during a D-Day anniversary ceremony in France. Conservative influencers amplified this 13-second clip, falsely claiming he was trying to sit when no chair was present, or even that he had lost control of his bowels. However, a more complete viewing of the footage reveals a chair was indeed behind him, and he began to sit after music stopped and waited for an introduction. Similarly, a video of Biden at the G7 summit, appearing to stray from other leaders, was cropped by some media outlets to exclude context, leading to accusations of him being the "Meander in Chief," despite him congratulating parachutists.

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How do selectively edited videos influence voter perception?

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