On January 7, Meta announced big changes to how it handles content moderation on Facebook and Instagram.

The company is now ending its third-party fact-checking program, which was first introduced in 2016 to combat misinformation during US elections at the time.

While it seemed like a good idea at the time, the program has faced criticism for being biased and causing more confusion than clarity. Now, Meta is focusing on new ways to manage content while encouraging free expression.

Here’s what Zuckerberg had to say for the fact-checking program: “What started as a movement to be more inclusive has increasingly been used to shut down opinions and shut out people with different ideas, and it’s gone too far.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mark Zuckerberg (@zuck)

Why Is Meta Removing Fact-Checkers?

Meta’s decision to scrap the content moderation program comes after years of debate over the effectiveness of fact-checking.

Experts who served as third-party fact-checkers often brought their own perspectives and biases, which, according to Zuckerberg, undermined the goal of fostering trust on the platform. “Too many mistakes were being made,” he admitted, leading the company to explore new ways to moderate content.

To address these issues, Meta plans to replace fact-checkers with a community-driven feature called Community Notes. This system, inspired by Elon Musk’s similar initiative on X (formerly Twitter), allows users to add contextual notes to posts that may be misleading.

Community Notes will first roll out in the U.S. over the next few months as Meta evaluates its effectiveness.

Learning from X’s Community Notes Experiment

Meta’s approach mirrors X’s Community Notes, but it also raises multiple concerns.

When Musk introduced the feature, X’s ad revenue reportedly fell by 60%.

While this drop wasn’t solely due to Community Notes, Musk’s divisive statements played a significant role in scaring away advertisers.

Meta will probably avoid a similar fate by carefully balancing free expression with brand safety.

Steps Meta Is Taking to Restore Free Expression

In his video, Zuckerberg talked about the multi-step process Meta has outlined to promote free expression while addressing misinformation and reducing errors on the platform:

1. Eliminating Fact-Checkers: By removing the third-party fact-checking program, Meta hopes to reduce perceived biases and allow for more open dialogue.
2. Simplifying Content Policies: Complex guidelines will be streamlined, making it easier for users to understand what is allowed and what isn’t.
3. A New Approach to Policy Enforcement: Meta plans to focus on addressing illegal and high-severity violations, giving more leeway to less critical content.
4. Bringing Back Civic Content: In a move to encourage political discourse, Meta will lift restrictions on certain types of civic content, especially topics central to mainstream discussions.
5. Protecting Free Expression Worldwide: Meta aims to ensure that its commitment to free speech extends beyond the U.S., making it a global standard across its platforms.

Balancing Free Expression and Brand Safety

While Meta’s shift toward free expression is a bold move, it comes with challenges. Advertisers have long been concerned about brand safety and the potential for misinformation to thrive. Meta’s task will be to demonstrate that Community Notes and simplified policies can create a balanced environment where users feel heard, but harmful content doesn’t run rampant.

What’s Next?

Over the coming months, all eyes will be on Meta as it implements these changes. The rollout of Community Notes in the U.S. will serve as a critical test for the platform’s new direction. If successful, Meta’s approach could redefine how social media platforms handle moderation while promoting free expression.

Whether this move fosters a healthier online discourse or opens the door to more chaos remains to be seen. One thing is clear: Meta is betting big on its ability to restore trust and relevance in an increasingly polarized digital landscape.