Visual Deception: Impact, Interpretation, and Categorization of The Pictorial Parts of A Hoax
Visual Deception: Impact, Interpretation, and Categorization of The Pictorial Parts of A Hoax

Summary/Abstract: This article aims to gain understanding of the use of the visual communication behind, or rather beside hoax messages spread around social media and internet. Misinformation circulating around our newsfeeds are often accompanied by pictures, some taken out of context, some manipulated by graphic software, but always with the same ambition as the written content that they escort, such as fearmongering, hate spreading or furthering various political intents. By interpretation of the pictorial content and its subsequent categorization, we can better understand the notion behind the less explored parts of a hoax message and gain more convenient position to push against misinformation. We will investigate the most shared hoaxes and what portion of them is accompanied by pictorial complements, increasing the potency of perceived misinformation. Further, by dividing those pictures into distinct categories, we can find different ways to unveil possible threat hidden behind picture or behind the whole hoax.

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