Meta has announced it will abandon independent fact-checkers on Facebook and Instagram, opting instead for “community notes” similar to those used on platform X.
The new feature will allow users to comment on the accuracy of posts, shifting the responsibility of moderating content from third-party fact-checkers to the platforms’ communities.
In a video accompanying the announcement, Meta’s chief executive Mark Zuckerberg explained that the decision stemmed from concerns over bias. He stated that third-party moderators were “too politically biased” and added, “it was time to get back to our roots around free expression.”
The change has raised questions about Meta’s motivations, particularly as the announcement comes during efforts by Zuckerberg and other tech leaders to improve relations with US President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office later this month. Trump has been a vocal critic of Meta’s fact-checking policies, labelling them as censorship of conservative voices.
Speaking to reporters after the announcement, Trump praised Zuckerberg’s decision, saying Meta had “come a long way.”
When asked if Zuckerberg was responding to past threats Trump had made against the company, the President-elect replied, “Probably.”
Joel Kaplan, Meta’s new global affairs chief, replacing Sir Nick Clegg, wrote in a statement that while reliance on independent moderators was “well-intentioned,” it had too often resulted in censorship. Kaplan, a prominent Republican, is expected to play a key role in shaping Meta’s relationship with the incoming administration.
The announcement has drawn criticism from campaigners against online hate speech, who argue the decision could lead to increased misinformation and harmful content.
Ava Lee of Global Witness described the move as “a blatant attempt to cozy up to the incoming Trump administration – with harmful implications.”
She further stated, “Claiming to avoid ‘censorship’ is a political move to avoid taking responsibility for hate and disinformation that platforms encourage and facilitate.”
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