EPTV's Influencer Verde Contest: Public Voting Open for Finalists
The public can now vote for the winner of EPTV's Influencer Verde contest through the Instagram profile @jornaldaeptvribeirao. The final stage pits Isabella Moreno Martins, from Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, against Mariane Albino Barbosa, from Bebedouro, São Paulo. Both teenage finalists reached this stage after successfully completing previous rounds of the competition. As part of their final challenge, they spent a weekend at a regional farm hotel, where they produced their last project video. To cast a vote, users must watch the participants' videos and comment with the number corresponding to their chosen finalist on the official voting post. Isabella Moreno Martins is designated as number 1, and Mariane Albino Barbosa as number 2. The organization states that only one vote per profile will be counted, with duplicate comments from the same profile being disregarded. Unlike previous stages, the final decision rests solely with the public, as there will be no judging committee. The winner will be crowned the official influencer for the "Do Fogo ao Verde" (From Fire to Green) project. The prize includes a tablet and an immersive experience at the EPTV newsroom, where they will observe the production and editing of special reports focused on wildfire prevention and environmental awareness. Voting concludes at 3:00 PM on July 20th, and the winner will be announced on EPTV 2 on the same day. Isabella Moreno Martins, 14, attends Escola Municipal de Ensino Fundamental José Delibo, while Mariane Albino Barbosa, 13, attends IBEC. Both finalists will receive a two-day stay at a farm hotel with a guardian, and the winner will also receive an iPad and participate in the EPTV newsroom immersion on July 29th and 30th, 2026.
This contest, framed as an environmental awareness initiative, leverages social media engagement to select an "official influencer." The selection process, shifting from a judging panel to purely popular vote, highlights the increasing reliance on public engagement metrics in determining influence. While promoting environmental themes is commendable, the contest's structure, culminating in a popularity contest, raises questions about the long-term sustainability of such campaigns. Future initiatives could explore integrating objective environmental impact assessments alongside public engagement to ensure genuine environmental stewardship is recognized and fostered, rather than solely popularity. The focus on a single winner and a short-term immersion may limit the lasting impact, suggesting a need for more sustained, systemic approaches to environmental advocacy in the digital age.
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