JNS: Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that the company will discontinue its fact-checking program and replace it with a new, community-driven system, similar to the model used by Elon Musk’s X. The move, which will begin in the U.S., aims to return to the company’s “roots around free expression.”
In a video message on Tuesday, Zuckerberg explained, “It’s time to get back to our roots around free expression. We’re replacing fact-checkers with Community Notes, simplifying our policies and focusing on reducing mistakes. Looking forward to this next chapter.”
The new system will impact Meta’s major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, which collectively boast billions of users. The decision, according to Zuckerberg, is influenced by the outcome of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, which he described as a “cultural tipping point” that emphasizes the need to “prioritize speech.”
Meta launched its fact-checking program in 2016 to address growing concerns over misinformation, particularly following criticisms related to Facebook’s role in the spread of false claims during the 2016 U.S. presidential election. At its peak, the program involved nearly 100 organizations operating in over 60 languages worldwide, according to a statement from Meta in 2023. However, the company is now shifting focus to a more community-based approach to combat misinformation.
The change marks a significant pivot in Meta’s approach to content moderation and its commitment to fostering open dialogue on its platforms.
