admin Social media giant Meta has announced the end of its U.S. fact-checking programme, replacing it with a community-based system similar to X. It has also eased restrictions on debates around sensitive issues such as immigration and gender identity.
This decision marks a significant policy shift for Meta, whose CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has long advocated for strict content moderation despite accusations of censorship from conservative groups. The move coincides with the appointment of Republican policy executive Joel Kaplan as Global Affairs Head and Dana White, CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and a close ally of President-elect Donald Trump, to Meta’s board.
“We’ve seen too many mistakes and too much censorship,” Zuckerberg said in a video. “It’s time to refocus on free expression. We’re simplifying our policies and adjusting content filters to act only on high-confidence cases before removing content.”
The fact-checking programme, launched in 2016, was a surprise casualty, leaving some partner organisations blindsided. Jesse Stiller, managing editor of Check Your Fact, said, “This decision shocked us and will undoubtedly impact our work.” Other partners, including Reuters, AFP, and USA Today, have yet to comment. Meta’s independent Oversight Board, however, has welcomed the change.
The policy shift affects Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, which collectively serve over 3 billion users.
Zuckerberg has recently expressed regret over certain content moderation decisions, including those related to COVID-19, and the company has also faced scrutiny for donating $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund – a notable departure from past practices.
Critics, however, warn that the decision could have severe consequences. Ross Burley, co-founder of the non-profit Centre for Information Resilience, said, “This is a major step back for content moderation at a time when disinformation and harmful content are advancing rapidly. It feels more like political appeasement than effective policymaking.”
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