POLITICAL DEEPFAKES: CULTURAL DISCOURSES OF SYNTHETIC AUDIO-VISUAL MANIPULATIONS

Abstract

This study analyzes cultural discourses around political deepfakes through mediaarchiving. Deepfakes use deep learning techniques to edit authentic media content and are currently impacting online political communication. To assess the field of discourse around political deepfakes, the study involved the creation of a database of digital media artifacts, including texts and audio-visual documents. The study relies on cultural analytics method to establish the patterns contained in media used to portray political deepfakes and their effects. Deepfakes continue to threaten democracies and erode trust in public institutions. Thus, studies that focus on the discourses around political deepfakes stand to increase and promote literacy about this important subject.