Meta Ends U.S. Fact-Checking Program, Shifting to User-Based Moderation

The decision to replace professional fact-checkers with a crowdsourced model faces criticism from experts and public opinion favoring stricter misinformation controls.

Meta has announced the termination of its U.S. partnership with independent fact-checking organizations, opting for a crowdsourced moderation model similar to X’s Community Notes.
Public opinion polls reveal strong bipartisan support for platforms to combat misinformation, with 84% of Americans favoring measures like warning labels and reduced visibility for false content.
Critics argue that the move is politically motivated, aligning with pressure from conservative leaders and former President Trump, who recently signed an executive order targeting content moderation policies.
Fact-checking organizations report increased harassment and threats following Meta’s announcement, raising concerns about the safety and credibility of their work.
The policy shift mirrors broader trends in Big Tech, with companies like Google and X scaling back content moderation efforts, despite regulatory pressures in regions like the European Union.