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The Kandidato Buzz Index: Listen in, then jump in
Surveys generate headlines about candidates. But is social media buzz now also a factor in a voter's choices?
Web users now have a handy tool to track Twitter and Facebook conversations about candidates in real time, and see which bets are being discussed the most. And netizens can jump into the conversation at any time.
The Kandidato Buzz Index, introduced by GMA News and Public Affairs for the 2013 elections, is among the network's innovations that enable voters to be more engaged in the democratic process. It's powered by Mass Relevance, a US-based social media visualization company licensed by Twitter to re-syndicate its content for cross-platform integration by major media organizations that include CNN, ABC, and FOX News.
The Index collects Tweets and Facebook posts about each senatorial candidate and aggregates them to determine which candidates are the most talked-about —good or bad— online. It does not attempt "sentiment analysis" but enables viewers to see conversations and participate.
As of Friday noon, the top three senatorial candidates in terms of online buzz are Nancy Binay, Risa Hontiveros and Grace Poe. However, by no means does this mean that tweets and Facebook posts about them are all complimentary. The conversation, no matter how large or small, covers a breadth of opinions for each candidate.
Take, for example, these tweets about Nancy Binay, the candidate with the most "buzz" thus far:
"Why we shouldn't vote for Nancy Binay? No skills. No credentials. No experience. #NoToBinay," wrote Gio del Mundo"If I were to vote, I will go and support for Nancy Binay. She and her family are good public servants, I have seen it many times in my life," says NADINE."I won't vote for Nancy Binay but I really feel bad for her. Being bullied, criticized, and hated because of her skin color? Ah, grabe naman!" wrote Nashima Ali-Cip.
Clicking on a candidate’s photo reveals a list of the most recent tweets and Facebook posts about that candidate. It also allows the user to engage in the discussion by tweeting or posting via the web app and have their comment become part of the conversation stream:
Risa Hontiveros and Grace Poe — the top 2 and 3 candidates, respectively, on the Index — are both from Team PNoy. Following close behind them are Teddy Casiño from Makabayan and Jack Enrile from UNA.
But interestingly enough, the high rankings of Hontiveros and Casiño in the Index are in stark contrast to how they fared in the latest SWS survey, in which both candidates didn't even make it to the top 15 in voters' preference.
Both Hontiveros and Casiño are generating high social media buzz:
"It boggles my mind that most of those who don't want to vote for Tita Risa Hontiveros because of her support for the RH law are women," wrote TitaMom."I don't always agree with what @teddycasino says. But I think he's going to do good in the senate so I will vote for him," noted Carla Orbeta.
It remains to be seen whether such online sentiments are a reliable indicator of how they will do in the polls. — Rica Fernandez/ TJD/HS, GMA News
