Meta Ends Fact-Checking Program, Emphasizes Free Speech as Trump Era Returns

WASHINGTON/MOGADISHU, Jan 12 – Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, has announced the end of its third-party fact-checking program, a cornerstone of the platform since 2016. The move comes just weeks before former U.S. President Donald Trump reenters the White House, as Meta positions itself to renew its “fundamental commitment to free expression,” the company said in a statement.

The fact-checking program will be replaced with a new system called “Community Notes,” modeled after the feature implemented by Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter). According to Meta, this approach will “allow more speech by lifting restrictions on some topics that are part of mainstream discourse.”

Shift in Meta’s Content Policies

Meta also announced changes in how it enforces its content moderation policies, aiming to reduce mistakes that have resulted in the over-censorship of user content. “Up until now, we have been using automated systems to scan for all policy violations, but this has resulted in too many mistakes and too much content being censored that shouldn’t have been,” the company stated.

Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO, emphasized in a video statement that the company is “going to get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies, and restoring free expression on our platforms.”

Zuckerberg added that Meta will adopt a “personalized approach” to political content, though he acknowledged the trade-offs involved. “It means that we’re going to catch less bad stuff, but we’ll also reduce the number of innocent people’s posts and accounts that we accidentally take down,” he said.

New Leadership and Political Context

In a significant leadership change, Meta is appointing Joel Kaplan, a former deputy chief of staff under President George W. Bush, to head its global policy division. Kaplan, with strong ties to the Republican Party, will replace Nick Clegg, the former British deputy prime minister.

This change is seen as Meta adapting to the shifting political landscape in the U.S. as Trump prepares to return to power. The company’s adjustments, including Kaplan’s appointment, signal a strategic alignment with the new administration while reinforcing its focus on free speech.

Meta’s Balancing Act

Meta’s decision to overhaul its content moderation policies and leadership structure has sparked debate. Supporters argue the changes are a necessary step toward reducing bias and overreach in content censorship. Critics, however, warn that the rollback of fact-checking and automated enforcement could lead to a surge in misinformation on the platform.

As Meta navigates these shifts, the company faces the challenge of balancing free expression with its responsibility to maintain a safe and trustworthy platform for its global user base.

GAROWE ONLINE