The specifics of visual electronic mass-media and their influence on public opinion formation are considered in the article. Thanks to their technical abilities visual electronic publications ensure so-called “presence effect” – recipient’s feeling of their involvement to what is happening on a TV screen, a monitor or a display and ability to empathize.
It is stated in the publication that in modern periodicals photos more and more often do not only play role of visual accompaniment of informative, analytical or journalistic text, but they are also independent elements of advertisement business. Advertisement photos become important visual marks to attract attention of consumers of different types of goods and services. Such approach increases requirements to quality of illustrative materials in modern periodicals, because quantity of financial benefit from advertiser and welfare of periodicals editorial office depends on it.