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Articles

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2022): Visual literacies and visual technologies for teaching, learning and inclusion

Visual literacy and fake news: Gaining a visual voice

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21428/8c225f6e.b34036b2
Submitted
8 August 2026
Published
15-08-2026

Abstract

Fake news images are deliberate, publicly published news intended to mislead viewers. Public distrust in news extends to visual images in the news, especially as digital images are so easy to fake and manipulate. To deal with this issue, people need to be visually literate in order to discern the veracity of visual news messages. Moreover, fake news images are more likely to minimize or negatively portray minority groups who might threaten the existing social order, although these marginalized people are less likely to produce news. Tracing the information cycle of fake news reveals steps where images can be faked in order to influence and impact consumers. Visual literacy can use the framework of a news media information cycle to empower people, especially marginalized populations, to become impactful civically engaged visual literacy consumers and producers.

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