North News
New Delhi, January 8
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced the end of the company’s independent fact-checking program, which has been in place since 2016, just days before Donald Trump’s to take oath as U.S. President. In a statement, Zuckerberg explained that the program was originally designed to give independent experts the responsibility to fact-check viral content, aiming to help users assess online information for themselves.
However, Zuckerberg acknowledged that the program had not worked as intended, particularly in the United States. He pointed out that experts, like all individuals, carry their own biases, which influenced the types of content selected for fact-checking and the methods used. Over time, the system began labeling legitimate political speech as false, leading to intrusive labels and reduced distribution, ultimately turning the program into a tool for censorship.
To address these issues, Zuckerberg outlined Meta’s new approach: replacing the third-party fact-checking program with a Community Notes model. Drawing inspiration from a similar initiative on X, the new program will allow users to flag content they believe is misleading and add context, enabling a diverse range of perspectives to guide the information shared with others. Zuckerberg stated that this shift aligns more closely with Meta’s original goal of providing people with context, while avoiding the biases inherent in expert-driven fact-checking.
Zuckerberg emphasized that Meta’s platforms should remain spaces for free expression, acknowledging that this approach can sometimes result in a “messy” display of content. He referred to his 2019 Georgetown University speech, where he argued that free speech had driven societal progress and that limiting speech—despite good intentions—often reinforces existing power structures. He warned against prioritizing political outcomes over the fundamental right of individuals to express their views, deeming it dangerous.
Zuckerberg also criticized Meta’s increasingly complex content moderation systems, which were introduced in response to societal pressure. He admitted that these systems had become too broad, resulting in over-censorship, user frustration, and mistakes. As part of Meta’s efforts to return to its commitment to free expression, Zuckerberg announced that the company would be making changes to improve user experience and ensure that too much harmless content is not being censored.
“We want to fix that and return to the fundamental commitment to free expression,” Zuckerberg concluded, reiterating that Meta remains dedicated to ensuring people’s voices are heard without unnecessary restrictions.
