

It includes camera details and settings such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO number, focal depth, dots per inch (DPI). Image metadata can be very useful for cataloging and contextualizing visual information. Image metadata is text information pertaining to an image file that is embedded in the file or contained in a separate file that is associated with it. Knowing how to do a reverse image search can help you identify hoax images, but sometimes we need more details such as the date and time an image was shot, the make and model of camera and lens an image was shot with, as well as GPS coordinates if available all of these can help to prove the authenticity of an image. This image was once used to portray the narrative that Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari was dead and an imposter by the name Jubrin from Sudan had taken over the seat of power. They also combine them with texts to manipulate readers, knowing that people tend to accept photographs as truthful representations.

The people publishing and promoting fake news routinely take photos out of context, digitally alter them. Misappropriation or misrepresentation of images has helped to drive the growth of fake news and this is simply achieved by relying on images to sell bogus narratives. In other words, images lend emotion and legitimacy to stories, even when they’re not true. Fake or manipulated images propagated through the web and social media have the capacity to deceive, cause emotional distress, and influence public opinions and actions. Often, photographs are recycled and/or doctored to fuel interest and provide visual “proof” for fake news.
