ThinkCritical.eu · Manipulation atlas
Sources and evidenceOut of context
A real photo, video or story from another place or time, given a new meaning by the text.
The photo, video or quote is real, but it comes from a different place, time or situation. A new caption gives it a meaning it never had.
A photo of a flooded street captioned “This morning in our town! The authorities are keeping quiet!” A reverse image search shows the picture was taken during floods in another country six years ago.
How to spot it
- A strong caption on a picture that proves none of it by itself (place, date, reason).
- Details don't fit: the language on signs, number plates, the weather, the season.
- An old story shared as new – the date is only on the post, not on the article.
- A quote without the sentences around it, or a cut-down video.
How to check and what to do
- Do a reverse image search (Google Lens, TinEye) and find where and when the picture first appeared.
- Check the date in the original article itself.
- Find the full video or the whole interview, not just a clip.
- See whether local news or the authorities report the event.
Full explanation and exercises:
thinkcritical.eu/en/manipulation-atlas/out-of-context