The “Datapovo” case: semiotic and pragmatic aspects of image manipulation in the context of disinformation

Abstract

We investigated posts on Twitter using the word “datapovo”, which became popular in the context of the 2022 presidential elections in Brazil. The term refers to content that sought to discredit electoral polls, in contrast to the imagery record of crowds of supporters of candidates. We use concepts of pragmatism and semiotics in order to understand how these signs can stimulate the fixation of beliefs around a possible fragility in the electoral process. We also highlight the manipulation of contemporary technical images, fostering debates on the sign effects of this type of strategy in disinformation processes.

Keywords
datapovo; disinformation; technical images; semiotics; pragmatism