The media’s use of selectivity in representation

Abstract

This thesis aims at understanding the media’s power over society through the use of the medium of photography - particularly the way in which imagery can be used as a tool to mislead the viewer. The study explores various ways in which the media can be selective in its representation of a subject, and the way that this selectivity alters the message communicated through the image. The project takes the form of a selection of images, with the research being conducted through semi-structured focus groups using test images (see Chapter 3) in order to understand how people react to being misled by imagery. Contemporary society has, over recent years, become accustomed to “fake news” and manipulation in photography. In cases of marketing, exaggeration and photo manipulation are expected. However, one does not expect to be misled by the imagery that the news - media outlets use.