Untangling Photographic Manipulation: Exploring a Dual Concept and Its Societal Implications

In recent years, the pervasive presence of visual disinformation in the media and visual culture, propelled by technological advancements, has become an escalating concern. This article asserts the urgent need to revise the current conceptual framework for addressing this challenge. A significant hurdle is the ambiguity surrounding the very concept of manipulation. Two distinct concepts of manipulation coexist—one with moral implications and the other without. This article examines this conceptual discrepancy across academic cultures, identifying them as anchored, respectively, in the social sciences and humanities and in the natural sciences and medicine. It then analyzes how these two concepts are used in white papers and other policy documents that guide responses to visual disinformation from 2018 to 2021. The article further investigates the complexities of these manipulation concepts within photography and visual expression. By elucidating and questioning them, the article aims to enhance the framework for addressing visual manipulation, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and enrich theories of camera-based imaging across various fields. Overall, this article highlights deficiencies in the current framework and strives to improve it, thereby aiding in tackling visual disinformation and fostering effective collaboration among stakeholders.