Meta Platforms has announced a significant change in its content moderation strategy, opting to replace third-party fact-checking with a user-driven system of "community notes" on Facebook and Instagram for users in the U.S. In a recent video, CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasized the importance of returning to foundations centered around free expression. Joel Kaplan, the new head of global affairs, stated that reliance on independent moderators, while initially well-intentioned, has often resulted in the unjust censorship of harmless content and conflicts with their goal of enabling free expression.
Meta Platforms Abolishes Third-Party Fact-Checking in the U.S. for User-Driven Community Notes
Meta Platforms Abolishes Third-Party Fact-Checking in the U.S. for User-Driven Community Notes
Meta is shifting from third-party fact-checking to a community-driven model on its platforms, Facebook and Instagram, enhancing free expression.
The intended community notes system, which has drawn inspiration from Twitter's approach, will empower users to assess the accuracy of posts, and will gradually roll out in the coming months. Meta's blog post highlights the removal of restrictions on contentious topics, including immigration and gender identity, asserting that these issues should be subject to unfettered discussion akin to what is permissible in political discourse.
This shift occurs in the context of an evolving political landscape, notably with the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has historically criticized Meta’s moderation practices. Recent interactions between Trump and Zuckerberg signal a potential thaw in relations, amidst wider declarations from Zuckerberg that elections have signaled a cultural lean towards prioritizing free speech.
The appointment of Joel Kaplan, a seasoned executive with a different outlook on moderation than his predecessor Sir Nick Clegg, is seen as reflective of Meta's changing political focus. Observers speculate that under Kaplan's leadership, Meta may take a more lenient approach as it continues to navigate the interconnected worlds of social media, politics, and public discourse.
This shift occurs in the context of an evolving political landscape, notably with the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has historically criticized Meta’s moderation practices. Recent interactions between Trump and Zuckerberg signal a potential thaw in relations, amidst wider declarations from Zuckerberg that elections have signaled a cultural lean towards prioritizing free speech.
The appointment of Joel Kaplan, a seasoned executive with a different outlook on moderation than his predecessor Sir Nick Clegg, is seen as reflective of Meta's changing political focus. Observers speculate that under Kaplan's leadership, Meta may take a more lenient approach as it continues to navigate the interconnected worlds of social media, politics, and public discourse.
