Meta Shifting From Fact-Checking To Crowdsourced Moderation

Meta’s decision to shift from professional fact-checking to crowd-based moderation through its “Community Notes” system is causing controversy over online reliability.

At a Glance

Meta is transitioning from fact-checkers to a crowd-sourced moderation model.
71 organizations oppose the changes, citing potential for increased misinformation.
The move signals a shift towards less restrictive content policies.
Zuckerberg cites free speech as a reason for the moderation overhaul.

Shifting to “Community Notes”

Meta announced the replacement of third-party fact-checkers with a crowd-sourced “Community Notes” system for content moderation on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. This transition occurs amidst the backdrop of Meta’s broader goal of venturing into a more open moderation strategy, which, according to Zuckerberg, aims to reduce bias and promote free speech. The changes mark a significant pivot from methods employed since 2016.

This new approach has sparked some backlash, with 71 organizations, including the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), penning a letter expressing their concerns. They argue that Meta’s decision risks compromising the trustworthiness of information shared online, making it easier for misinformation to proliferate.

71 organizations signed a letter warning Mark Zuckerberg about ending fact-checking on Meta in the US https://t.co/hwYJsr12Kx

— Business Insider (@BusinessInsider) January 10, 2025

Internal Response

Employees within Meta have voiced disagreement with the new policies, some describing feeling embarrassed by the direction the company is taking. Within the company, there is apprehension about the potential backlash and impact these changes may have on Meta’s reputation. Critics argue that eliminating fact-checkers and loosening restrictions on content could backfire, leading to increased hate speech and disinformation.

The potential end of fact-checking partnerships may also have a financial impact on the organizations involved, as some rely on Meta for revenue.

Reasons Behind the Shift

Despite some of the circulating concerns, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg attributes these changes to the evolving political and social environment, emphasizing the importance of free expression. “We’re going to get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies, and restoring free expression on our platforms,” he stated. This reflects a strategy to broaden political discourse and reintroduce civic content to its platforms.

These modifications have sparked questions about the balance between flow of information and maintaining a trustworthy online environment. Time will tell how these changes impact the social climate on Meta’s platforms, along with the social media landscape as a whole.