«Meta cancels fact-checking program: what does this mean for social networks?»
8 january 2025 в 02:50
It seems that there are always new technology updates that need to be learned about. The update of Meta’s fact-checking is raising many questions regarding misinformation and impartiality. Find out how content on social media will be affected below!
Meta’s fact-checking program was launched in 2016 with the aim of reducing online misinformation. It emerged as a result of criticism that Facebook received from users for spreading fake news during the crucial presidential elections in the same year. The Meta Transparency Center explained that through this program, non-partisan and third-party organizations certified by the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) constantly verified the accuracy of online content. During the focus review, the company received ratings of «False, Altered, Partially False, Lacks Context, Satire, and True». By 2023, the fact-checking system «expanded, including nearly 100 organizations working in over 60 languages worldwide», - according to Meta’s statement.
On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg shared a video announcement on the official Meta website that a new update will put an end to the Meta fact-checking system. Instead of the fact-checking program, there will now be «Community Notes». Mark personally took inspiration from Elon Musk in regulating social media. The CEO compared his new approach to Elon’s version on X.
Mark’s reasoning for the 180-degree turn was the 2024 US presidential elections. Mark explained his beliefs in the video: «The recent elections also seem to be a cultural turning point towards a renewed emphasis on freedom of speech. After Trump was elected in 2016, legacy media constantly wrote about how misinformation is a threat to democracy. We tried to conscientiously address these issues without becoming arbiters of truth. But fact-checkers were too politically biased and destroyed more trust than they created, especially in the US».
Now both platforms will allow for more online content to be shared regarding pressing issues, including gender and immigration. The new system will allow users to join the dialogue as participants and evaluate content themselves, request additional information, and identify introductory posts. In an attempt to prevent biased views, users with diverse perspectives must agree on their assessment
Meta’s fact-checking program was launched in 2016 with the aim of reducing online misinformation. It emerged as a result of criticism that Facebook received from users for spreading fake news during the crucial presidential elections in the same year. The Meta Transparency Center explained that through this program, non-partisan and third-party organizations certified by the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) constantly verified the accuracy of online content. During the focus review, the company received ratings of «False, Altered, Partially False, Lacks Context, Satire, and True». By 2023, the fact-checking system «expanded, including nearly 100 organizations working in over 60 languages worldwide», - according to Meta’s statement.
On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg shared a video announcement on the official Meta website that a new update will put an end to the Meta fact-checking system. Instead of the fact-checking program, there will now be «Community Notes». Mark personally took inspiration from Elon Musk in regulating social media. The CEO compared his new approach to Elon’s version on X.
Mark’s reasoning for the 180-degree turn was the 2024 US presidential elections. Mark explained his beliefs in the video: «The recent elections also seem to be a cultural turning point towards a renewed emphasis on freedom of speech. After Trump was elected in 2016, legacy media constantly wrote about how misinformation is a threat to democracy. We tried to conscientiously address these issues without becoming arbiters of truth. But fact-checkers were too politically biased and destroyed more trust than they created, especially in the US».
Now both platforms will allow for more online content to be shared regarding pressing issues, including gender and immigration. The new system will allow users to join the dialogue as participants and evaluate content themselves, request additional information, and identify introductory posts. In an attempt to prevent biased views, users with diverse perspectives must agree on their assessment
© Puhova Marina
