Misinformation in the Spotlight: The Role of Photography in the Dissemination of Fake News on Politics

Abstract

Misinformation is a growing problem in contemporaneity, and photography has been used as a tool to lend credibility to misinformative pieces. This article discusses the importance of understanding the complex mechanisms behind imaginative misinformation and how photography can be used to influence and shape opinions. To analyze photography as a misinformation strategy, it is necessary to understand its characteristics and plausible structure. For this purpose, two misinformative pieces were selected: “Dilma’s trial in the period of military dictatorship” and “Yanomami people in Brazil”, which were analyzed according to Barthes’ method (1990). The results show how photography can be used to manipulate public opinion about governments, crises, and political actors, and how important it is for journalists, educators, and citizens to be aware of these mechanisms in order to navigate with discernment in a world where visual misinformation plays an increasingly influential role.