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Meta’s Shift in Content Policy Raises Concerns Among Employees

A Move Away from Fact-Checking

In a recent announcement, Meta’s new chief global affairs officer, Joel Kaplan, revealed that the company will be ending its third-party fact-checking program. This decision has sparked concern among Meta employees, who fear that it may lead to the spread of misinformation on the platform.

A Shift Towards User-Generated Content

Kaplan explained that Meta will instead adopt a user-generated system, similar to X’s Community Notes, where users can flag and correct misinformation. While some employees have expressed support for this move, others are worried that it may compromise the integrity of the platform.

Criticism and Concerns

Many employees have taken to Meta’s internal forum to express their concerns about the decision. Some have argued that it appears to be a move to appease the incoming administration, while others have expressed fears about the potential consequences for topics like immigration, gender identity, and gender.

A Sad Direction?

One employee wrote that the decision sends a message that “facts no longer matter” and that it’s a “really sad direction to take.” Another employee commented that by abandoning fact-checking, Meta is paving the way for the spread of misinformation.

Defending the Decision

Not all employees are critical of the decision, however. Some have argued that X’s Community Notes feature has proven to be a more effective way of representing the truth.

A Controversial Board Appointment

The announcement comes on the heels of Meta’s decision to add UFC CEO Dana White to its board of directors. White has been embroiled in controversy in the past, and some employees have questioned what value he brings to the company.

A Changing Company Culture?

The appointment of White, along with other new board members, has raised questions about the company’s values and whether they are shifting to prioritize political alliances over other considerations.

Maintaining a Respectful Work Environment

As the debate continues, Meta’s internal community relations team has reminded employees to maintain a respectful work environment and to avoid insulting or criticizing colleagues or board members. However, some employees have argued that even respectful criticism is being censored, leading to concerns about corporate censorship.