Big problems with axing fact-checkers, says Meta board

The chairman of an independent body that monitors content on Facebook and Instagram said he was “deeply concerned” about how parent company Meta’s decision to ditch fact-checkers would affect minority groups.

Helle Thorning-Schmidt, from Meta’s steering board, told the BBC that she welcomes the shake-up features, which will see users decide on the accuracy of posts with X-style “public notes”.

However, speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said there were “huge problems” with what had been announced, including the potential impact on the LGBTQ+ community, as well as gender rights and entitlements.

“We see many times when hate speech can lead to real harm, so we will be watching that space,” he added.

In the video posted On the sidelines of the company’s website on Tuesday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the decision was motivated by “returning to our roots in terms of freedom of expression”.

He said the third-party fact-checkers currently used by the company were “too politically biased”, meaning too many users were vetted.

However, journalist Maria Ressa – who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021 – said the suggestion that the change would encourage free speech was “absolutely wrong”, telling AFP news agency that the decision meant “very dangerous times ahead” for social media. users and democracy.

“Only if you are running a profit can you claim that; only if you want power and money can you want that,” said Ms. Ressa, who founded the Rappler news site in the Philippines.

The decision raised questions about the survival of the board chaired by Ms. Thorning-Schmidt.

Funded by Meta and founded by the then president of global affairs, Sir Nick Clegg, who announced that he was leaving the company less than a week ago.

Ms Thorning-Schmidt – Denmark’s former prime minister – insisted it was needed more than ever.

“That’s why it’s good that we have a monitoring board that can discuss this in a transparent way with Meta,” he said.

Some have suggested Sir Nick’s departure – and the fact-checking changes – are an attempt to get closer to the incoming Trump administration, and to gain access and influence it enjoys. another tech titan, Elon Musk.

Tech journalist and author Kara Swisher told the BBC it was “the funniest move” she had seen Mr Zuckerberg make in “years” of reporting.

“Facebook does anything for its own benefit,” he said.

“He wants to kiss Donald Trump, and meet Elon Musk in the process.”

While campaigners against online hate speech reacted with dismay to the changesome supporters of free speech welcomed the news.

The United States free speech group Fire said: “Meta’s announcement shows an ideological marketplace in action. Its users want a social media platform that doesn’t suppress political content or use high-profile fact-checking.

“These changes will hopefully lead to more neutral moderation decisions and freer speech on the Meta forums.”

Speaking after the changes were announced, Trump told a press conference that he was impressed by Mr Zuckerberg’s decision and that Meta had “come a long way”.

Asked if Mr Zuckerberg was “responding directly” to threats Trump had made against him in the past, the incoming US president replied: “Maybe.”

Mr Zuckerberg acknowledged on Tuesday that there was some risk to the company in the change of strategy.

“It means we’re going to catch a little bit of bad stuff, but we’re also going to reduce the number of innocent people who write and take down accounts by mistake,” he said in his video message.

X’s move to a hands-off approach to content moderation has had a major impact arguing with advertisers.

Jasmine Enberg, an analyst at Insider Intelligence, said that is also dangerous for Meta.

“Meta’s sheer size and powerhouse ad platform somewhat protects against users like X and advertisers,” he told the BBC.

“But brand safety remains a key factor in deciding where advertisers spend their budgets — any significant drop in engagement could hurt Meta’s business, given the intense competition for users and ad dollars.”