|
Listen to article
|
Meta has officially announced the termination of its fact-checking program, signaling a turning point in how the company approaches the complex task of content regulation on its platforms.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed in a video on Tuesday that the company has opted to launch a system enabling users to add contextual details to posts. As The Washington Post reports, this strategy echoes the Community Notes feature utilized on Elon Musk’s platform, X.
Mark Zuckerberg explained that the shift was prompted by mistakes made by the fact-checking team and widespread criticism that the program amounted to censorship. He framed the decision as a return to Meta’s foundational principles of championing free expression, pointing to a cultural shift that coincided with Donald Trump’s return to the presidency.
“We’ve reached a point where it’s just too many mistakes and too much censorship.
“The recent elections also feel like a cultural tipping point toward once again prioritising speech. So we are going to get back to our roots, focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies, and restoring free expression on our platforms.”
Under the new policy, efforts will center on combating unlawful material and handling serious infractions, with restrictions on controversial issues being relaxed. The decision aligns with a wider push by social media companies to accommodate the priorities of the forthcoming Republican-led government.
Read also: Ireland Slams €91m Fine On Meta For Password Security Breach
Meta recently appointed Republican figures, including Joel Kaplan and Dana White, to senior positions and has taken steps to mend relations with President Trump, including a $1 million donation to his inauguration committee.
The announcement also reflects a shift in the tech industry, as platforms ease content moderation policies and face scrutiny from a Republican-controlled Congress.
Fact-checking organisations that relied on Meta’s funding expressed surprise at the decision. Many noted the impact this could have on efforts to combat misinformation, as Meta was a key supporter of independent fact-checking groups.
Critics of the move argue that relying on user-generated notes may not be sufficient to address the spread of false information on the platform.
The new community notes system will roll out gradually throughout 2025, with Meta describing it as a way to encourage diverse perspectives while avoiding allegations of bias.
