Page 190 - Demo

English Summary188When visualizations circulate, the composite image–text meaning changes. On websites, together with their accompanying text, visualisations can give more complex meaning to the topic than they do on Twitter. Change in meaning occurs also when visualisation of different types, content and narratives are networked to a topic, as the controversy intensifies.These conclusions lead to the following recommendations for practice. First of all, policy controversy analysts need to ensure that visualisations’ full potential as objects offering insights into the controversy is thoroughly explored. I advise alternating between zooming in and out in the analysis of the visuals. Another piece of advice for analysts would be to try to infer why a particular way of visualising was chosen among endless options for doing so. This attempt can lead to a better understanding of actors’ attitudes and concerns. For all actors who visualize issues which are at the heart of policy controversies, I propose to consider their visual presence online. While doing so, actors should be aware that visualisations might find their way to places different from those their authors intended them to be, with text different from the text originally accompanying them, and may consider ‘securing’ the accompanying text to the visualisation. Additionally, when choosing a visualisation to be used online, a reflection on the multiple meaning conveyed by this visualisation is advisable. Such reflection may help to be aware of the own set of values, beliefs and feelings in relation to the controversial issue, along with a possible change of this perspective.Efrat.indd 188 19-09-2023 09:47