A significant change in Meta's content moderation approach catches the attention of former President Donald Trump ahead of his expected return to office.
According to Fox News, Meta has announced the termination of its fact-checking program across its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, with Trump praising the company's decision to restore free expression.
The announcement comes as Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg acknowledges the need to simplify policies and reduce mistakes in content moderation. The company plans to replace its current fact-checking system with a "Community Notes" model, similar to the approach used by X. This decision marks a significant shift from the fact-checking program implemented after the 2016 election.
Meta's Chief Global Policy Director, Joel Kaplan, emphasized the company's commitment to allowing more open discourse on sensitive topics. The policy changes specifically target areas where current rules have been deemed overly restrictive, including discussions about immigration and gender-related issues. The company aims to maintain moderation only for specific content categories such as terrorism, illegal drugs, and child exploitation.
The timing of these changes appears strategic, with Meta executives expressing optimism about working with the incoming Trump administration. Kaplan highlighted the opportunity to collaborate on free expression initiatives and technological advancement, viewing the new administration as more supportive of unrestricted speech compared to its predecessor.
Trump, responding to the announcement, expressed approval of Meta's new direction. The former president's positive reaction suggests a potential warming of relations between his administration and the social media giant.
The company has announced significant additions to its board of directors, including UFC CEO Dana White, a known Trump ally. White's appointment, along with former Microsoft executive Charlie Songhurst and Exor NV CEO John Elkann, indicates Meta's commitment to diversifying its leadership perspective.
These appointments coincide with Meta's broader strategy to personalize political content delivery. The platform plans to allow users greater control over their exposure to political posts, representing a shift from previous content management approaches.
The changes follow Zuckerberg's recent admission to the House Judiciary Committee regarding pressure from the Biden administration on content moderation, particularly concerning COVID-19 related information. Kaplan elaborated on this point, noting:
The thing is, as American companies, when other governments around the world that don't have our tradition or our First Amendment, when they see the United States government pressuring U.S. companies to take down content, it is just open season then for those governments to put more pressure [on their companies]
Meta's transformation extends beyond content moderation to include technological innovation and business development. The company sees potential partnerships with the Trump administration in promoting American business interests and maintaining technological superiority.
The platform's enforcement efforts will now focus primarily on illegal and high-severity violations, moving away from broader content restrictions. This approach aligns with Zuckerberg's stated goal of returning to the company's foundational principles.
According to Mark Zuckerberg:
We're going to get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies and restoring free expression on our platforms
Meta's decision to end its fact-checking program represents a fundamental change in social media content moderation. The move, announced by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, eliminates the fact-checking system implemented after the 2016 election in favor of a community-based approach. This strategic shift, combined with new board appointments and the support of President-elect Trump, positions Meta for significant changes in its approach to content management and free expression on its platforms.
