A Picture Is Worth A Million Dollars

I know y’all have heard the old cliché: A picture is worth a thousand dollars. But today it’s worth even more. For real, it comes in the form of political clout and monetizing our attention. When visuals are weaponized for profit, media literacy is a critical skill that we need to rely on. Here’s how some companies are being monetized, manipulated and full of biases.

AI and Deepfakes

Welcome to the era of AI where anyone can be, say or do anything and not actually do said thing. The cost of AI image generation is so cheap that it’s become expensive. People and brands have lost money because of fake disasters that affect the market. Some have even suffered brand damage due to them.

Media Literacy Tip: Stop treating images as the only proof. Do some deeper research.

Clickbait and the Algorithm

You know those thumbnails and hooks that companies, influencers and platforms use? They used them to emotionally hijack you on purpose. AI images are used to trigger you and that equals big money for the producer. Every time we click on some bullshit without checking, they get to cash a check you paid for twice.

Media Literacy Tip: If an image pisses you off, pause. Do some more research on it.

Cutting Context For Cash

I used to be a photographer, video editor, web designer and graphic designer, so I know for a fact that a single, carefully cropped photo can raise big bucks overnight. Especially in politics. These photos are stripped of nuance and have a “Donate Now” or “Click Here To Stop (Name of Political Opponent)” call-to-action before the public has any context behind it. Hint, hint. It’s already happened and millions fell for it.

Media Literacy Tip: Before you bust open that wallet, ask: What’s happening outside of the frame? Do some more research.

The Racialized Lens

Yep, you in the back with the stank face, media can be racist depending on how it’s spun. As a matter of fact, my undergrad senior paper was about the perception of Black men in media. But, that’s another story. We see the racialized lens all of the time. A white suspect is shown with family, at church or polished in some way, while a Black victim doesn’t get the same mercy. They’re depicted in some of the worst ways possible with low-quality pics, dressed in a certain manner with a “thug spin,” different hand gestures that racist media claims are “gang signs,” or even a hairstyle. It’s all intentional. This visual framing impacts sympathy, legal funding and systematic outcomes. It’s bullshit strategic negative branding. A dehumanizing photo can cost a life, livelihood or freedom.

Media Literacy Tip: Read up on racial biases and search for examples online.

Pictures are now just more than snapshots of reality, they’re engineered to drive engagement, exploit biases and grab your data. The next time you see a picture that tugs at you on your feed, don’t just interact with it. Ask who’s gonna profit from how you feel.