Acquiring knowledge of digital video manipulation techniques and its effect on the perceived credibility of television news

The present research study investigated the perceived credibility of television news in relationship to the acquisition of knowledge of digital video compositing techniques. An experiment was carried out to verify if acquiring knowledge of digital video post-production techniques affected the perceived credibility of television news. Instrumentation for the experiment included a video stimulus produced with a readily available digital video compositing software package as well as an online post-test questionnaire. A scale for perceived credibility of television news was constructed based on a frequently used operationalization of the concept of credibility. Findings showed that after subjects acquired knowledge of digital video post production techniques, their perception of television news credibility was less than subjects who did not acquire knowledge of digital video post production techniques. Also, the amount of education a subject possessed played a significant role in how he or she perceived the credibility of television news. Frequency of television news consumption, familiarity with digital imaging software tools, and academic background were also examined in relationship to perceived credibility of television news. Implications are explained for improving media literacy education, protecting television news credibility, and designing media effects experiments.