While a lot has been going on around the world, there are also lots of things not happening, and as a result spurred the politicization of Instagram. Inasmuch as the U.S. is the leading Instagram user on a global scale, photographic content of political nature, particularly those chronicling the Black Lives Matter rallies across all states now dominate the photo-sharing platform’s news feeds.
The rest of the world are now gradually working their way out of the economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet there are still no events, concerts, celebrations and even restaurants from which interesting pictures can be taken, to draw the people’s interest away from U.S. political occurrences.
Why Instagram Serves as a Better Platform for Political Activism
Instagram has transitioned into becoming a social media platform for letting people around the world know what is actually happening in America today. Its importance as a more effective tool for political activism is enhanced by the two thousand number of characters that IG users can utilize in captioning a photo. The number stands in stark contrast to Twitter, which allows up to a maximum of 280 characters only.
Moreover, since Instagram is an affiliate of Facebook, it enables IG users to instantly spread their photographs across millions of FB accounts and make it go viral.
Socially shared photographs rather than words can lay bare truths much faster than the curated news being broadcasted by TV and online news channels. In fact, they often provide the lead that journalists pick up and follow through with formal coverage; making the information official as the latest development on a trending issue.
The Real World Now Matters at Instagram
Instagram initially gained popularity as a social platform where people can instill, as well as draw inspiration, on and from matters pertaining to lifestyle and life choices. To some, sharing and viewing IG photographs is a way of escaping reality. To entrepreneurs and brand advertisers, the platform serves as an easier and faster way to spread knowledge about their products and/or services.
Yet now more than ever, Instagram users are using the platform to raise awareness that “real changes” must take place in America today.
After all, Donald J. Trump, who as president of the United States, has been making feeble propaganda instead of addressing the ill effects wrought by COVID 19 on the country’s economy and people. He is now on a mission to project himself as the president who restored law and order, while encouraging his racist supporters to commit acts of violence.
To make matters worse, he has been deploying unidentified military forces in major U.S. cities who go after peaceful protesters instead of protecting them against agitators.
Instagram audiences around the world are still keen on liking and sharing photographs of political leaders who convey messages of hope for a better future. In fact, Indian Prime Minister Modi, being the leader of the nation with the second highest number of Instagram users, is ranked as the political leader with the biggest number of IG followers. Although Donald Trump would prefer to be in that position, he only comes in third. Former U.S. President Obama ranks second for being the political leader with the most number of IG followers.
While many are also hoping to grow the number of their followers, not a few find ways to push the visibility of their uploads by seeking assistance from the best place to buy instagram likes.