April 18, 2024
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

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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