Infographics and their Role in the IS Propaganda Machine

Authors

  • Michael Glausch University of St Andrews

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15664/jtr.1492

Keywords:

Islamic State, ISIS, infographics, propaganda, terrorism, media

Abstract

Although infographics form only a small proportion of IS propaganda output, they provide an intimate insight into the functioning and agenda of the IS. This research paper analyses more than 400 infographics published by official IS media units against the thematic framework set out by Winter (2018). The three principal IS propaganda themes identified by Winter of Victimhood, Utopia and War feature to varying extents of prominence in IS infographics, with multiple subthemes respectively. This paper’s analysis shows that Religious Life and Summaries make up the majority of infographic subthemes, while the primary theme Victimhood is almost non-existent.

Author Biography

Michael Glausch , University of St Andrews

Michael Glausch is a part-time MLitt student at the Handa Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence at the University of St Andrews. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the Open University in 2016. Michael is a commercial airline pilot based in Asia. His research interests include the evolution of IS propaganda, suicide and cyber-terrorism.

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Published

2019-12-09

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 3 (2020): Contemporary Voices

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2019 The Author(s)

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