Framing the Fallout: AI-Generated Visual Disinformation and the Fukushima Wastewater Narrative on Chinese Social Media

Abstract

This paper explores the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), visual disinformation, and nationalist narratives through a case study of Fukushima wastewater-related imagery on China's social media. Using Rodriguez and Dimitrova’s four-layer visual framing model, the study analyses AI-generated visuals from Xiaohongshu, revealing how these images shape public discourse. The findings highlight the nuanced interplay of denotative symbols, stylistic elements, connotative meanings, and ideological frames in reinforcing nationalist sentiment. This paper argues for a more comprehensive analytical approach to understanding AI-driven visual disinformation in digital ecosystems.