Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced on Thursday that it will start testing a community-driven fact-checking initiative called Community Notes, beginning March 18. The system will initially adopt a ratings method similar to the one used by Elon Musk’s platform, X.
Meta’s previous fact-checking initiative was concluded in January, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg citing concerns about political bias—a critique frequently echoed by conservatives. This pivot away from traditional fact-checking has drawn criticism from media experts and social media analysts alike.
“The removal of fact-checkers doesn’t just strip users of a crucial resource; it also lends credibility to a widespread disinformation claim: that fact-checking is inherently biased,” remarked Dan Evon, lead writer for RumorGuard, a digital tool from the News Literacy Project that focuses on battling misinformation by offering context to misleading, viral information.
After Donald Trump was elected President in December 2016, Meta commenced its fact-checking efforts to curb the spread of “fake news” on its platforms. Over several years, Meta collaborated with over 100 organizations across more than 60 languages to fight misinformation.
More than a year ago, the Associated Press withdrew from Meta’s fact-checking initiative.
Although Community Notes will eventually replace the existing fact-check system, the transition will not be immediate. In the U.S., potential participants can register to take part in the new program, but their contributions will not be visible right away. “We will initially and progressively admit individuals from the waitlist to test the writing and evaluation process before any notes go public,” stated Meta.
Meta also clarified that it will not dictate what content gets rated or written. The notes won’t be published unless a diverse range of contributors agree on them. Unlike the earlier system in which misinformation led to reduced distribution of those posts, content accompanied by Community Notes will not face any penalties.
While fact-checking will continue outside the United States for the time being, Meta plans to eventually implement Community Notes globally.
