The camera can lie: How North Korean state media fakes photographs



Analysis The camera can lie: How North Korean state media fakes photographs DPRK propagandists routinely edit and stage photos to doctor reality, often requiring a keen eye to reveal the truth Ángel García December 22, 2022 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON In this photo, poor use of an editing tool to create a panning effect has rendered the flag-waving girl’s upper body in focus and her legs blurry, while the other children are also blurry except for their faces. The exposure time of 1/500 is way too fast to create the effect in-camera. \| Image: KCNA (Feb. 5, 2019) State media has long been one of the primary sources of information about developments in North Korea, and its importance for professionals working on DPRK issues has only grown during the pandemic, when access to the country has become more restricted than ever. But the limitations of relying on what is little more than regime propaganda are clear, and this is just as true when considering the images published by North Korea’s newspapers and wire services. State media has long been one of the primary sources of information about developments in North Korea, and its importance for professionals working on DPRK issues has only grown during the pandemic, when access to the country has become more restricted than ever. But the limitations of relying on what is little more than regime propaganda are clear, and this is just as true when considering the images published by North Korea’s newspapers and wire services. Become a member for less than $5.75 per week. Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Analysis

The camera can lie: How North Korean state media fakes photographs

DPRK propagandists routinely edit and stage photos to doctor reality, often requiring a keen eye to reveal the truth

Ángel García December 22, 2022

The camera can lie: How North Korean state media fakes photographs

In this photo, poor use of an editing tool to create a panning effect has rendered the flag-waving girl’s upper body in focus and her legs blurry, while the other children are also blurry except for their faces. The exposure time of 1/500 is way too fast to create the effect in-camera. | Image: KCNA (Feb. 5, 2019)

State media has long been one of the primary sources of information about developments in North Korea, and its importance for professionals working on DPRK issues has only grown during the pandemic, when access to the country has become more restricted than ever.

But the limitations of relying on what is little more than regime propaganda are clear, and this is just as true when considering the images published by North Korea’s newspapers and wire services.

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The camera can lie: How North Korean state media fakes photographs

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Ángel García

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