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I've literally never been able to identify a photoshopped image (except for immediately obvious work), without someone first pointing it out. I have a feeling that the percentage of the population that can spot edited images is in the single digits.

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As someone who usually spots the Photoshop, I have some trouble assessing the danger of such techniques; thanks for bringing your input. I feel that someone who sees “through” a doctored piece of information will not even realize the power it may have had to others who might not participate in the conversation but end up part of the bubble nonetheless. By the time a fake has been debunked it's too late—but what's the alternative, censorship?

Not censorship, context. Censorship is disrespectful of the reader; it assumes the authority knows better. Context is respectful; it assumes you will make the best decision (for you) when you have all the relevant information.

So don’t delete the fake video. Put a big red exclamation mark next to it that says “this video has been substantially manipulated. Contents may not be genuine.”

Also: while viewers and producers both deserve the same respect, producers can forfeit theirs by consistently failing to respect their viewers. A consistent pattern of intentional deception should earn a shadow ban.

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