Meta Shifts Focus to “Community Notes” Model, Prioritizing Free Expression
In a significant move, Meta has announced plans to discontinue its third-party fact-checking program, opting instead for a “Community Notes” model. This change aims to promote free expression and reduce censorship on its platforms.
A New Approach to Content Moderation
Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, explained that the company has reached a point where mistakes and censorship have become too prevalent. The new approach will focus on simplifying content policies, reducing mistakes, and promoting free expression. The “Community Notes” feature, inspired by Elon Musk’s platform X, will allow users to contribute and rate notes to provide context to posts.
Simplifying Content Policies and Enforcement
Meta will remove restrictions on subjects like immigration and gender, and implement a new approach to policy enforcement. The company will focus on illegal and high-severity violations, and its trust and safety and content moderation teams will relocate from California to Texas.
Collaboration with the Incoming Administration
Zuckerberg stated that Meta will work with President-elect Donald Trump to push back against governments that censor American companies. The company’s head of global policy, Joel Kaplan, praised the Community Notes system on Musk’s platform X, saying it has been working “really well.”
Industry Reactions and Criticisms
Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan expressed concerns about the impact of Meta’s decision on online speech, stating that a single company or executive should not have extraordinary influence. The Meta Oversight Board welcomed the changes, acknowledging that the previous approach was perceived as politically biased by many users.
A Rocky Relationship with Trump
Meta’s relationship with Trump has been tumultuous, with the president-elect previously describing Facebook as an “enemy of the people.” The company had levied a two-year suspension on Trump’s accounts in 2021, but eventually removed restrictions in July. Meta has taken steps to appease the incoming administration, including adding Dana White, CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and a longtime friend of Trump, to its board.
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