Meta’s decision to scrap its third-party fact-checking program has reignited debate over social media’s role in moderating content.
The move, described as “pragmatic” by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, marks a broader shift in how digital platforms approach misinformation.
Meta announced in January that it would discontinue external fact-checking on its platforms, starting in the US.
The decision comes as CEO Mark Zuckerberg implements sweeping policy changes, replacing the program with a community-based system.
While critics argue the shift could weaken misinformation controls, supporters say it acknowledges the practical limitations of large-scale fact-checking.
Ohanian, speaking at the Web Summit in Qatar, backed Meta’s new approach, stating that fact-checking at scale is “impossible” and that the previous system was unviable.
The change reflects a growing trend in the tech industry, where companies are moving toward decentralised moderation models that rely on user input rather than external verification.
Political pressures and policy shifts
Meta’s reversal comes at a politically charged moment.
The fact-checking program, launched in 2016, had drawn criticism from conservatives, including Donald Trump, for allegedly targeting right-wing content.
As Trump prepares for a second term, Meta is pivoting to a different model—one that resembles the approach taken by X (formerly Twitter).
The company’s new content moderation system, called Community Notes, allows users to provide context to posts rather than relying on third-party organisations.
Meta’s chief global affairs officer, Joel Kaplan, confirmed the shift, stating that the company is “taking a more personalised approach” to political content, ensuring that users who want to see such posts can access them.
The decision also aligns with Zuckerberg’s recent rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
The Meta CEO has acknowledged past missteps, including compliance with White House requests to moderate Covid-19 content, which he described as government overreach.
Kaplan, a former Republican strategist, has played a key role in shaping Meta’s evolving policies.
He praised X’s community-driven approach, where users collectively decide when posts require additional context.
With over 3.9 billion people using Meta’s platforms, this shift represents a significant gamble on user-led moderation.
Reddit’s moderation challenges
Reddit, which Ohanian co-founded in 2005, has long struggled with moderation.
Initially, the platform allowed unrestricted content but later introduced community-based rules to tackle harassment, racism, and other harmful behaviours.
Reddit’s experience highlights the potential pitfalls of community-driven moderation.
While its approach has helped manage content across its 70 million daily active users, it has also faced backlash over inconsistent enforcement and controversial subreddit bans.
Meta’s adoption of a similar model suggests it is prioritising engagement over external scrutiny.
Community Notes could reduce political backlash by removing third-party fact-checkers, placing responsibility on users instead.
However, concerns remain about its effectiveness. While X’s implementation of Community Notes has been praised for improving transparency, it has also struggled with misinformation challenges.
Whether Meta’s version can succeed at scale remains uncertain.
The future of fact-checking
Meta’s move reflects a broader industry shift in handling misinformation. With AI-driven algorithms shaping user feeds and community-led moderation gaining traction, traditional fact-checking methods are increasingly being phased out.
Other platforms, including TikTok and YouTube, have also scaled back reliance on external fact-checkers, favouring automated systems and user-generated reports.
While supporters argue that these changes empower users and reduce bias, critics warn that they could enable misinformation.
As the 2024 US election approaches, Meta’s approach will be closely scrutinised for its impact on political discourse and digital accountability.
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