Research project Visual journalism and verification at war

The point of departure is that verification skills and good routines are important for quality news coverage. These are examined in the study through a focus on image verification and the visual coverage of the war in Ukraine following the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022 in Sweden and Norway. The project is carried out empirically through bi-modal analyzes of visually driven publications, and qualitative interviews with editors, newsroom managers and photojournalists. The study specifically contributes new knowledge about the prerequisites of foreign coverage, how journalists assess the credibility and ethics of sources, and the role of photojournalism in crisis coverage. By drawing attention to challenges as well as strategies, the study highlights both strengths and possible future development areas with the aim of strengthening trust in journalism and countering disinformation.

The project is a collaboration between Maria Nilsson, Stockholm University, who examines news outlets in Sweden, and Anne Hege Simonsen, Oslo Metropolitan University, who conducts the Norwegian part of the study.