
Meta’s new crowdsourced fact-checking system is set to replace its existing program, sparking debate over potential implications.
At a Glance
- Meta is shifting to community-driven fact-checking, ending the previous program.
- The decision is influenced by U.S. elections, focusing on free speech.
- Concerns raised over potential bias and misinformation.
- Meta aims to reduce complexity and enhance moderation.
Meta’s Bold Move Towards Community-Centric Moderation
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently announced a significant change: shifting from traditional fact-checking to a community-driven system. This marks a radical shift, mimicking Elon Musk’s X social media platform. Zuckerberg expressed dissatisfaction with existing moderation systems, citing too many errors, and emphasized a need for prioritizing free speech in light of the 2024 U.S. presidential election results.
The transition, affecting platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, responds to criticisms about biases and excessive fact-checking. Meta introduced its fact-checking program in 2016 to combat misinformation, involving nearly 100 organizations worldwide. The change will start in the U.S., ending the use of independent third-party fact-checkers.
Meta to end fact-checking, replacing it with community-driven system akin to Elon Musk's Xhttps://t.co/98agsRsfJw
— CBS News Texas (@CBSNewsTexas) January 7, 2025
Impact and Reactions to the Decision
Meta’s decision has not been well-received by everyone. Joel Kaplan, Meta’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, highlighted the success of the community-driven model on X, expecting similar improvements in content moderation. However, the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) criticized the move as detrimental to credible and trustworthy information online.
“Fact-checking is essential to maintaining shared realities and evidence-based discussion, both in the United States and globally,” International Fact-Checking Network argued. According to reports, a total of 71 groups recently signed a letter pushing back against Zuckerberg’s move.
The Community Notes system will roll out over the next two months, with plans for continuous refinements. This change aims to decrease complexity and promote speech-friendly content, impacting nearly 3.3 billion daily Meta users globally. Criticism includes potential alienation of liberals and advertisers while attempting to align with conservatives and the Trump administration.
Future Expectations and Editorial Strategies
Meta plans to allow more discourse by lifting some restrictions on mainstream topics, focusing stricter moderation efforts on illegal activities and severe violations. Meanwhile, the trust and safety content moderation team will relocate from California to Texas and other U.S. locations. Zuckerberg and Meta’s team remain optimistic that the community-driven approach will reduce bias and enhance content regulation effectively.
“We’ve seen this approach work on X — where they empower their community to decide when posts are potentially misleading and need more context, and people across a diverse range of perspectives decide what sort of context is helpful for other users to see,” Kaplan said.
Despite controversies, Meta’s Oversight Board has endorsed the changes, aiming to collaborate to ensure the new approach fully supports free speech. Yet, 71 organizations, led by the IFCN, have warned of potential pitfalls, particularly concerning the reliability and honesty of available online information.
Sources
- Meta to end fact-checking, replacing it with community-driven system akin to Elon Musk’s X
- Meta says it will follow X, replace fact-checking with community notes
- 71 organizations signed a letter warning Mark Zuckerberg about ending fact-checking on Meta in the US