WASHINGTON: Facebook’s recent decision to end its U.S. fact-checking program marks a victory for former President Donald Trump and his close ally, tech mogul Elon Musk, as more tech leaders align themselves with the incoming president-elect.
Meta introduced its fact-checking efforts after Trump’s unexpected 2016 election win, with critics claiming that disinformation on Facebook, including interference by foreign entities like Russia, contributed to his success. Conservatives, who felt targeted by these anti-disinformation measures, have long criticized the program.
The timing of Meta’s decision, just before Trump’s inauguration, follows a series of meetings between major tech CEOs and Trump, including Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, Apple’s Tim Cook, and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, all of whom have reportedly donated to Trump’s inauguration fund. Musk, who owns the influential social media platform X, is one of Trump’s key advisors.
This shift in tech companies’ stance contrasts with the period when Trump was banned from Facebook and Twitter for inciting violence following the storming of the U.S. Capitol. In contrast, the companies are now adopting a deregulatory approach aligned with Trump’s administration. This change in policy, especially the fact-checking program cutback, is seen by critics as a business-driven decision, given the difficulties and controversies surrounding fact-checking efforts, according to public policy expert Ethan Zuckerman.
For some on the right, the move represents a win in the battle for free speech. Investor David Sacks, who is set to take an artificial intelligence role in Trump’s government, praised the decision as a significant cultural shift. Trump, who has long accused Meta and Zuckerberg of bias, indicated that the change was likely a response to his threats upon returning to office.
The fact-checking shake-up follows a broader trend in tech where companies like Meta have been targeted by Trump’s allies for alleged censorship. Meta’s recent board appointment of Trump ally Dana White and the reduction of fact-checking efforts align with criticisms from Trump’s Federal Communications Commission pick, Brendan Carr, who accused major tech companies of creating a “censorship cartel.”
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, also signaled support for the incoming administration, expressing confidence that Trump would help maintain the U.S.’s leadership in the AI industry. He endorsed Musk’s influence in the administration, believing that Musk would act in the country’s best interest, despite warnings of conflicts of interest.
Political science professor Wendy Schiller noted that social media companies, like Meta, are retreating from fact-checking because both political parties and tech companies benefit from division. However, Schiller pointed out that multiple social media platforms prevent any single entity from controlling all information flow.
In place of the fact-checking program, Facebook will implement a “community notes” feature, similar to Musk’s X platform. Musk quickly approved the change, calling it “cool.”
Currently, AFP works with Facebook’s fact-checking program, where the platform collaborates with around 80 global organizations to ensure the accuracy of information shared across Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram.
