Interrogating the scientific and ethical rigor of “kalye” surveys

As our contribution to Plaridel’s 20th anniversary, our paper focuses on the UP College of Mass Communication’s media and information literacy agenda, specifically highlighting the literacy required when engaging with surveys as social media content. In particular, our attention has been drawn to election-related kalye surveys that surfaced as popular local YouTube content eight months prior to the conduct of the May 2022 Philippine general elections. Kalye surveys (from the Filipino word “kalye”, or street) refer to person-on-the-street interviews about respondents’ electoral preferences while being filmed for live streaming or eventual uploading. Grounding our analytical framework on the principles of valid, reliable, and ethical social science research, our analysis of 49 videos uncovered how YouTube content creators have exploited the scientific practice of survey research for partisan purposes by disregarding scientific and ethical rigor as they claimed to present themselves with authenticity. We conclude with a call for vigilance against movements that exploit scientific practices in forwarding partisan agenda, noting that kalye surveys are a part of the growing ecosystem of political information disorder in the Philippines.