Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced on Tuesday that the company will phase out its fact-checking program and introduce a new community notes feature similar to that of X, previously known as Twitter.
The change, which will begin in the U.S., aims to bolster free expression and streamline content policies, according to Zuckerberg.
In a video posted on Facebook, Zuckerberg explained that Meta would return to its “roots,” focusing on simplifying its content moderation policies and fostering open speech on its platforms. He criticized governments and traditional media outlets for pushing increased censorship, which he claimed had impacted free expression.
Zuckerberg also highlighted that the recent U.S. elections served as a “cultural tipping point” in prioritizing speech. He acknowledged that debates over the potential harms of online content had led Meta to create complex moderation systems that, in his view, resulted in “too many mistakes” and excessive censorship.
The new community notes feature will replace the current fact-checkers and allow users to flag content, with the goal of promoting transparency and accountability in content moderation.
