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In a surprise announcement, Mark Zuckerberg revealed that Meta will replace fact-checking with the 'community notes' feature, a change that will begin in the US and promises to revolutionize the debate about freedom of expression on social media.
On Tuesday morning (7), Mark Zuckerberg surprised everyone with an unexpected announcement: Meta will end its fact-checking program. In a video posted on Instagram, the company's CEO explained that the responsibility for checking information will be transferred to the "community notes" feature, something similar to what already happens on X (formerly Twitter).
According to Joel Kaplan, Meta's vice president of global affairs, the change will begin in the United States. “Meta's platforms are built to be places where people can express themselves freely,” Kaplan said, reinforcing the company commitment with freedom of expression, even in the midst of challenges.
What prompted the fact-checking program to be shut down?
Mark Zuckerberg stressed that the decision reflects a broader view of the role of social media in today's world. He said freedom of expression is a driving force for progress, and centralizing control over what is and is not true could be detrimental to public debate.
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In the video, Mark recalled his 2019 speech at Georgetown University, where he argued that inhibiting people's speech is a risk to society. He argued that, despite differences of opinion, allowing more voices to be heard is essential to democracy.
Freedom of expression on Meta platforms
Meta, which owns networks such as Facebook and Instagram, has always positioned itself as a defender of freedom of expression. However, this does not come without challenges. Joel Kaplan acknowledged that opening up space for billions of people to express themselves can create confusion, since the good, the bad and the ugly all have the same stage.
Therefore, the use of the “community notes” feature seeks to balance this freedom with responsibility. The idea is that users themselves can add context and additional information to posts, creating a more participatory self-regulation system.
Impacts of the decision on the digital scenario
Meta's decision will certainly reverberate in the online environment. For users, the change can bring more autonomy, but also concerns about the spread of false information. Content creators and companies that use platforms for advertising will also need to adapt to the new model.
Compared to X, which already uses a similar system, Meta seems to be following a trend of decentralizing control over content. This raises the question: is this model really effective or just another test in the chaotic world of social media?
Reactions to Mark Zuckerberg's announcement
Joel Kaplan, who recently replaced Nick Clegg, has been cited as a factor in this decision. A Republican, Kaplan is known for his free speech-friendly approach and less reliance on centralized moderation. However, Mark Zuckerberg’s views on free speech remain central to Meta’s strategy. For Mark, the change reflects his commitment to creating an environment where diverse voices can coexist, even in the face of challenges.
Experts, however, have differing opinions. While some believe the change strengthens digital democracy, others fear that the lack of a robust fact-checking system makes the platforms a breeding ground for misinformation.
What to expect from Meta from now on?
With the end of the fact-checking program, Meta enters a new phase. The commitment to freedom of expression as a central pillar of the company could redefine the role of social media in modern society.
The goal is shaping the future of the public debate with this decision. As with any major change, there are uncertainties about the results. However, the commitment to freedom of expression can be a key element in positively influencing the digital ecosystem, even in such a challenging and complex scenario.
