They may be crying during a performance or discussing a subject entirely unrelated to the article.
Without context, the image cannot establish the meaning assigned to it.
This problem is especially pronounced when photographs are reused.
An old image may accompany a new headline.
A picture from a promotional event may be presented beside claims about a private disagreement.
A photograph taken years earlier may lead readers to believe a story describes recent events.
The image itself may be authentic while its use is misleading.
This is a subtle but important distinction.
Misinformation does not always require fabricated photographs.
Sometimes genuine images are paired with unsupported statements.
In stories involving the Smith family, the public familiarity of their faces makes this technique especially effective.
Readers recognize Willow or Will immediately.
That recognition can create a feeling of trust.
But recognizing the person in a photograph does not verify the accompanying claim.
