Meta to Drop Fact-Checking Program Because It’s ‘Too Politically Biased,’ Adds Community Notes on Facebook and Instagram

variety.com:

Ellise Shafer Meta is replacing its fact-checking systems on Facebook and Instagram with a “community notes” model similar to Elon Musk’s X, Mark Zuckerberg said on Tuesday.

In a video message posted on the platforms, Zuckerberg said, “It’s time to get back to our roots around free expression on Facebook and Instagram.” He cited “widespread debate” over potential harm from online content, and said that “governments and legacy media” have pushed for greater censorship on social media.

As a result, Zuckerberg said Meta will no longer rely on its complex fact-checking system, saying that it’s led to “too many mistakes and too much censorship” and is “too politically biased.” “The recent elections also feel like a cultural tipping point toward once again prioritizing speech.

So 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 said.