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Which images of war do we see? When the disturbing image has more impact than the facts: What remains of the truth?
A scene from everyday life during the war in Ukraine – photographed by Pieter-Jan De Peu for the ICRC’s AV archive. An elderly woman walks through rubble. Quiet, moving, real.
An AI manipulation. A historic building in flames, tanks rolling through the scene, explosions dominating the view.
Shock images turn war into a spectacle we consume.
We believe war is only explosions and destruction – not also everyday life, loss, and the struggle to survive in ruins.
Fake images can amplify propaganda and undermine genuine documentation.
AI fakes distract from real suffering and distort who receives our attention.
AI-generated fake war images are often used on social media because they appear real and are dramatic.
(Source: SRF, 2023)
57% of Swiss teenagers regularly use social networks as an information source.
(Source: James Study 2024)
In conflicts, fake images are deliberately used to amplify propaganda and discredit the opposing side.
(Source: NATO StratCom, 2022)
Explosions and fires are particularly easy to fake.
Does the image come from a recognised archive or news agency?
Are there other images or videos of the same scene?
Any fake war photo can endanger lives through disinformation or panic.
“An image can document war – or stage it.”
Welcome to WHAT THE FAKE – discover more image pairs, facts, and tips.
