Introduction to special issue “visual governance in migration”

<p dir="ltr">In today’s public discourse, images have assumed a pivotal role, a significance that has only grown with the increasing prominence of social media platforms. Images possess a unique ability to transcend language barriers, swiftly convey complex ideas and emotions, encapsulate narratives, and elicit strong emotional responses, rendering information more accessible and engaging. In today’s fast-paced world of social media, where concise, visually appealing content reigns supreme, both real and fake images have become the primary currency of online communication. As the saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Images have become not just common but often indispensable elements of communication on virtually every topic. Particularly, subjects of global significance have been widely represented through a diverse array of images, whether it’s overcrowded migrant boats, starving polar bears on melting glaciers, or infographics displaying the latest COVID-19 mortality rates, all of which have gone viral.</p>