Social media users get creative on Photoshop, turning photograph of immigration minister into Hannibal Lecter, Queen and Beyoncé

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

Peter Dutton has been taught an important lesson in social media: don’t try to tell the internet what to do, because it will likely do the opposite – and maybe Photoshop you into Hannibal Lecter.

Peter Dutton accuses refugee advocates of encouraging suicide on Nauru Read more

The Fairfax photographer Alex Ellinghausen snapped Australia’s immigration minister apparently emerging from the shadows to front to the media on Tuesday. Dutton was holding a press conference about the self-immolation of a second asylum seeker on Nauru, which he said was the fault of refugee advocates.

Stephanie Peatling (@srpeatling) .@ellinghausen turns his camera on Immigration Minister Peter Dutton. pic.twitter.com/d8sr3dA0nn

John Johnsonson (@JohnJohnsonson) Today, Peter Dutton was accused of presiding over a murderous policy and being in a funny photo. He complained about the photo.

Stephanie Peatling, Ellinghausen’s colleague and political correspondent, tweeted the photo with the caption “eek”. She was contacted by Dutton’s office, who asked that she take down the “unflattering” image.

Stephanie Peatling (@srpeatling) IM Dutton's office tres unhappy abt most recent pic of him so have taken it off twitter because I don't have time to argue with them.

Tim Bell (@timpoliti) .@srpeatling This tweet? It's okay, I have a copy and I'm happy to share it far and wide. pic.twitter.com/9PxPtuksF5

Peatling later expanded in Fairfax’s budget liveblog:

I tweeted it with the caption “Eek” meaning that if I were a press secretary to Mr Dutton I wouldn’t be thrilled to see the picture. Mr Dutton’s offsider took considerable umbrage with it and most strongly protested its presence on the socials. After one of those conversations where both parties say the same thing over and over again I agreed I would take it off twitter so long as I could say they asked me to do so.

Naturally, when Peatling publicised the takedown request, Twitter did what Twitter does.

Dave Donovan (@davrosz) Peter Dutton wants this photo deleted, so please delete it ASAP!

I'll just pin it here so you know which one it is. pic.twitter.com/n05I34bD2o

Nick Names Nuts (@nicknamesnuts) Open your eyes, Mr Dutton. Look up to the skies and see. pic.twitter.com/fE5m9RcPQx

Reddit’s Photoshop Battles thread also leapt into action, eventually making the front page of the so-called “front page of the internet”.



Special Agent Scully (@miss_shiny) Reddit has its faults, but /r/photoshopbattle went to town on Dutton last night pic.twitter.com/0WkrgowdBc

Special Agent Scully (@miss_shiny) Well done team pic.twitter.com/wxN5bt10yJ

No such takedown request was made of First Dog on the Moon, Guardian Australia’s political cartoonist, who tweeted it proposing a “caption contest” – attracting more than 200 responses.



e m c (@ernmalleyscat) @firstdogonmoon Well, Clarice - have the lambs stopped screaming?

charlie foxtrot (@raena) "Hi, I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn" https://t.co/kvilVQA8dE

Liam Hogan (@liamvhogan) @firstdogonmoon the horror, the horror pic.twitter.com/VXuVWFEp8H

Mr Denmore (@MrDenmore) @firstdogonmoon "For those who've come across the sea, we've boundless pain to share."

Dutton’s communications team (he has three official press secretaries, the most of any minister bar Malcolm Turnbull) could have stood to take a lesson in online brand management from Beyoncé.

Dan Hall (@danieljohnhall) DUTTON: has that photo been deleted from the internet yet?



STAFFER [frantically alt+tabbing as Dutton walks over]: uuuhhhhh

The internet responded similarly when representatives of the singer contacted media agencies asking them to remove unflattering shots taking during her Superbowl half-time show.

The comparison wasn’t lost on Twitter.

James Hutchinson (@j_hutch) The real picture Dutton didn't want you to see. pic.twitter.com/ASpxtGDXQr

Another person who may also have had a tough day on the internet on Tuesday is Prof Peter Dutton, director of the China Maritime Studies Institute at the United States Naval War College in Rhode Island.

Peter Duttons around world respond to 'truly Trump-like' mad witch comment Read more

He tweets at @Peter_Dutton and has complained in the past of being frequently mistaken for the immigration minister.

Peter Dutton (@peter_dutton) So...maybe you are not aware that I am American, not an Australian politician? https://t.co/rPeuDlacV1

He last tweeted on Sunday, meaning there’s a chance he has yet to check his mentions. Guardian Australia has contacted him for an update.