Meta ends US fact-checking program amid free speech debate

Washington, United States — Social media giant Meta announced Tuesday a sweeping rollback of its content moderation policies, including the termination of its third-party fact-checking program in the United States.

Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg confirmed the decision in a social media post, stating that fact-checkers would be replaced with "community notes" similar to those used on X (formerly Twitter).

“We’re going to get rid of fact-checkers and replace them with community notes, starting in the US,” Zuckerberg said.

Shifting Focus to Free Speech

Zuckerberg emphasized that fact-checking programs have been “too politically biased” and have “destroyed more trust than they’ve created, especially in the US.”

“Recent elections feel like a cultural tipping point towards, once again, prioritizing speech,” Zuckerberg added, hinting at his alignment with the values of the incoming Trump administration.

The decision echoes long-standing criticisms from Republicans and tech billionaire Elon Musk, who argue that fact-checking disproportionately targets conservative voices and stifles free speech.

Strengthening Ties with Trump

The move also coincides with Zuckerberg’s recent efforts to repair ties with US President-elect Donald Trump. Reports revealed that Zuckerberg donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund and dined with him at Mar-a-Lago in November.

Meta has also reshaped its leadership, naming former Republican official Joel Kaplan as the new head of public affairs, replacing Nick Clegg, a former British deputy prime minister. Kaplan called Meta’s previous approach to moderation “too strict” and highlighted the need to “end Facebook jail.”

Additionally, UFC president Dana White, a close Trump ally, was appointed to Meta’s board.

As part of the overhaul, Meta announced it would relocate its trust and safety teams from California to Texas—an area viewed as more politically conservative.

“That will help us build trust to do this work in places where there is less concern about the bias of our teams,” Zuckerberg explained.

Loosening Restrictions

Meta also revealed plans to “simplify” content policies by removing restrictions on topics such as immigration and gender. Zuckerberg said these rules were “out of touch with mainstream discourse.”

The company will reverse its 2021 policy of reducing political content across platforms, instead giving users more control over the amount of political content they see on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.

Concerns Over Misinformation

Critics warn the rollback could open the floodgates to misinformation, especially during a period of political transition in the US.

Meta’s fact-checking program, which previously worked with 80 organizations worldwide in 26 languages, used fact-checks to flag misleading content and reduce its visibility in feeds.

The shift to “community notes”—a collaborative fact-checking system used on X—relies on user-generated input rather than centralized moderation, raising questions about reliability and accountability.

Global Backlash

International leaders criticized the decision, including Brazil’s government, which accused Meta of aligning with Trump’s agenda and undermining efforts to combat disinformation.

Brazil’s digital policies secretary, Joao Brant, described Meta’s move as a “bid to serve Trump’s agenda” and warned that it signals resistance to global regulation of social media platforms.

Meanwhile, Elon Musk, a vocal critic of fact-checking programs, praised Meta’s decision, calling it “cool” in a post on X.

What’s Next?

As Meta implements its new policies, debates over balancing free speech with accountability continue to intensify. With its move to embrace less restrictive policies, Meta’s shift marks a broader trend toward prioritizing free expression over moderation—setting the stage for further political and regulatory battles.

(Source: Alex Pigman, AFP, lg-fb/des from AFP Brazil)