Meta is ending its fact-checking program
In a groundbreaking move, Meta has announced that it will be ending its fact-checking program and lifting restrictions on speech in order to “restore free expression” across Facebook, Instagram, and Meta platforms. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg made the announcement in a video posted on Tuesday morning, stating that the company’s current content moderation practices have “gone too far.”
“We’re going to get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies, and restoring free expression on our platforms,” Zuckerberg said in the video. “More specifically, we’re going to get rid of fact-checkers and replace them with Community Notes similar to X, starting in the U.S.”
Joel Kaplan, Meta’s chief global affairs officer, will be appearing on Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends” for an exclusive interview to discuss the changes. Kaplan explained that the third-party fact-checking program was put in place after the 2016 election to manage content and misinformation on the platforms, but admitted that it had become too politically biased.
“We went to independent, third-party fact-checkers. It has become clear there is too much political bias in what they choose to fact-check because, basically, they get to fact-check whatever they see on the platform,” Kaplan told Fox News Digital.
Meta will be replacing the fact-checking program with a “Community Notes” model similar to the one used on X (formerly Twitter). This model relies on the community and platform users to provide their own commentary on content, which can then be attached to the content if it receives support from a broad cross-section of users.
Kaplan also mentioned that Meta will be changing some of its content moderation rules, particularly those that restrict discourse on sensitive topics like immigration, trans issues, and gender. The company aims to allow for more open discussion on these topics without fear of censorship.
While Meta will continue to moderate posts related to terrorism, illegal drugs, and child sexual exploitation, Kaplan emphasized that the company is shifting towards a more supportive approach to free expression.
The timing of these changes comes as Meta sees an opportunity to work with the incoming Trump administration, which Kaplan believes will be more supportive of free expression. He noted that working with the new administration aligns with the values that Mark Zuckerberg founded the company on.
Meta also plans to take a more personalized approach to political content, allowing users who want to see more political posts to do so. The company will refocus its enforcement efforts on illegal and high-severity violations.
Overall, Meta’s decision to end its fact-checking program and lift restrictions on speech marks a significant shift in the company’s approach to content moderation. By putting a greater emphasis on free expression and community feedback, Meta is aiming to create a more open and inclusive environment on its platforms.
