Below, we’ve collected definitions and examples for the current draft of ratings included in MediaReview. These are subject to change as we gather more of your feedback and expand testing to a global audience. We welcome your feedback either through our Contact page or by emailing Joel Luther at the Duke Reporters’ Lab.
Image/Image With Overlaid or Embedded Text Ratings
Original | Missing Context | Cropped | Transformed | Staged | Satire/Parody
Original | Missing Context | Edited | Transformed | Staged | Satire/Parody
Image Ratings
*Applies to both Images and Images with Overlaid or Embedded Text.
Original
No evidence the image has been misleadingly altered or manipulated, though it may still contain false or misleading claims.
Example
In this example, the image itself is original and has not been manipulated or altered. In this case, we would choose “image with overlaid/embedded text” as the Type, rate the image Original, then rate the textual claim using ClaimReview.
Missing Context
Presenting unaltered images in an inaccurate manner to misrepresent the image and mislead the viewer.
For example, a common tactic is using an unaltered image but saying it came from a different time or place. (An image rated “original” can also be missing context.)
Example
Photographs taken during a parade and rally for the Cleveland Cavaliers in June 2016 were posted online purporting to be from the Million MAGA march.
Cropped
Presenting a part of an image from a larger whole to mislead the viewer.
Example
A photo used in a campaign ad was cropped to show Joe Biden “alone” and “hiding,” while the full photo shows Biden surrounded by supporters and members of the press.
Transformed
Adding or deleting visual elements to give the image a different meaning with the intention to mislead.
Example
The version of the image posted to social media had been edited using Photoshop or a similar tool to change the hats pictured.
Staged
An image that was created using actors or similarly contrived, such as a screenshot of a fake tweet.
Example
Images posted online claimed that Twitter had removed a tweet from Donald Trump, but the screenshot of the supposed tweet was fabricated.
Satire/Parody
An image that was created as political or humorous commentary and is presented in that context.
Reshares of satire/parody content that do not include relevant context are more likely to fall under the “missing context” rating.
Example
Because the image was posted by The Onion, a well-known satire site, we would choose Satire/Parody for this. If it had been re-shared without that context, Missing Context would be more applicable
Video / Audio Ratings
Original
No evidence the footage or audio has been misleadingly altered or manipulated, though it may still contain false or misleading claims.
Example
A video that has not been altered or manipulated, but in this case, contains several false factual claims. These individual claims could be assessed with ClaimReview.
Missing Context
Presenting unaltered video or audio in an inaccurate manner that misrepresents the footage.
For example, using incorrect dates or locations, altering the transcript or sharing brief clips from a longer video to mislead viewers. (A video rated “original” can also be missing context.)
Example
A viral video isolates part of an answer during an interview, leaving out the relevant context.
Edited
The video or audio has been edited or rearranged.
This category applies to time edits, including editing multiple clips together to alter the story being told or editing out large portions from the media.
Example
In this case, parts of the relevant question and answer were omitted to splice together a more favorable video.
Transformed
Part or all of the video or audio has been manipulated to transform the media itself.
This category includes using tools like the Adobe Suite to change the speed of the media, add or remove visual elements or dub audio. Deepfakes are also a subset of transformation.
Example
In multiple examples, footage of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been slowed down to make her appear intoxicated.
Staged
Video or audio that has been created using actors or similarly contrived.
Example
A video posted in a Facebook group in Hong Kong purports to show a police encounter in the US, but is actually from a movie set in Brazil. In this case, we would also apply the Missing Context rating.
Satire/Parody
Video or audio that was created as political or humorous commentary and is presented in that context.
Reshares of satire/parody content that do not include relevant context are more likely to fall under the “missing context” rating.
Example
An edited video that was created as satire and is presented in that context. If the video had been shared without the satirical context, we would have rated it Missing Context.