I really do not think I am qualified to comment - but will give a layperson's perspective on this topic.

I personally do not care what was done to create the photograph - I only care about the end result. I could care less whether the end result was achieved through film or digitally. I also could care less if it was taken with a $5K or a $200 camera...

I do care if someone added subject matter, or moved things around in the photograph without noting as such. But that applies whether they did that manipulation in the dark room or the computer.

I see a number of photographers that advertise that their work is entirely film - without digital processing. That does not matter to me - I only care about whether the shot "moves me"... And yes - I also used a darkroom for years - I grew up with a darkroom, so understand the challenges.

Similarly -- I could care less whether a good book was created with a typewriter or a wordprocessor.... I know the typewriter would be harder...