Meta dumps independent fact-checkers, adopts Elon Musk’s community notes

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Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg

Meta dumps independent fact-checkers, adopts Elon Musk’s community notes

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is phasing out its reliance on independent fact-checkers, opting instead for a user-driven “community notes” system inspired by X (formerly Twitter).

This change allows users to collaboratively assess the accuracy of posts, marking a significant shift in content moderation.

In a video accompanying a blog post on Tuesday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg explained the decision, citing concerns about political bias in third-party moderation. “It’s time to get back to our roots around free expression,” he said.

The move aligns with efforts to improve relations with President-elect Donald Trump ahead of his inauguration later this month. Joel Kaplan, a prominent Republican and Meta’s new global affairs chief described the previous fact-checking approach as “well-intentioned” but prone to overreach and censorship.

Trump praised the decision, stating at a news conference, “Meta has come a long way.” However, critics argue that the policy shift prioritises political favour over accountability. Ava Lee of Global Witness said, “Zuckerberg’s announcement is a blatant attempt to cosy up to the incoming Trump administration – with harmful implications.”

Transitioning to Community Notes

Since 2016, Meta’s fact-checking program relied on independent organisations to verify content flagged as misleading. Posts deemed inaccurate were labelled and downranked in feeds. Now, the new “community notes” system—already implemented on X—will allow users with diverse perspectives to collaboratively add context or corrections to controversial posts.

Initially, this system will launch in the U.S., with Meta confirming no immediate plans to abandon third-party fact-checkers in the UK or EU. While Elon Musk expressed enthusiasm for Meta’s adoption of this model, critics like Ian Russell of the UK’s Molly Rose Foundation voiced concerns about the potential impact on online safety, particularly regarding content on suicide and self-harm.

“This is a major safety concern online,” Russell said. “These moves could have dire consequences for many children and young adults.” Meta clarified that high-severity violations, such as self-harm content, would remain subject to automated moderation.

Backlash and Political Context

The change comes as Meta faces criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. Fact-checking organisation Full Fact, which partners with Meta in Europe, dismissed accusations of bias, calling the policy shift “a disappointing and backwards step.” Chris Morris, the organisation’s CEO, warned of a chilling effect globally.

Zuckerberg acknowledged the risks involved, noting in his video, “It means we’re going to catch less bad stuff, but we’ll also reduce the number of innocent people’s posts and accounts that we accidentally take down.”

Read also: Technical problem brings down Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp services

The decision also contrasts with regulatory trends in the UK and Europe, where tech companies are under increased pressure to moderate harmful content.

Shifting Political Priorities

Meta’s announcement coincides with a broader recalibration of its political strategy. The company has sought to improve relations with Trump’s administration, including a $1 million donation to his inauguration fund. Kaplan’s appointment and the inclusion of Trump ally Dana White on Meta’s board signal the company’s shifting priorities.

Kate Klonick, a law professor at St. John’s University, described the policy shift as a “radical swing back in the opposite direction” of previous efforts to build trust and safety mechanisms. “The private governance of speech on these platforms has increasingly become a point of politics,” she said.

As Meta continues to navigate the balance between free speech and content moderation, the shift to community-driven oversight marks a new chapter in its approach to digital governance.

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