The scenario you speak of was true for the history of the human race prior to the invention of photography. This is why we have institutions such as newspapers

The scenario you speak of was true for the history of the human race prior to the invention of photography. This is why we have institutions such as newspapers, academia, government etc. institutions that have an authority to inquire into and in turn establish some semblance of truth. Maybe now some might understand why attacking the integrity of media, academia, and government is such a pernicious, short term and ultimately destructive tactic.