Mark Zuckerberg's decision to ditch factcheckers on Facebook and "prioritise free speech" weeks before Donald Trump returns to power was condemned as a "major step back" for public discourse yesterday.
The Meta founder announced multiple changes to his platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, in an attempt to "dramatically reduce the amount of censorship".
In a statement yesterday he said that, starting in the US, independent factcheckers will be replaced by a system of "community notes" similar to that used on X, Elon Musk's social media platform, which relies on users to add caveats and context to contentious posts.
Content moderation teams will also be moved from California to Texas, "where there is less concern about the bias of our teams", said Zuckerberg in a five-minute video statement that Nina Jankowicz, a former US government official tasked with fighting disinformation, described as "a full bending of the knee to Trump".
Changes to the way Meta filters content will also mean "we're going to catch less bad stuff" while still taking seriously "a lot of legitimately bad stuff out there, drugs, terrorism, child exploitation", Zuckerberg said.
He said factcheckers were "too politically biased" - an allegation strongly denied by factchecking organisations - and said Meta would "get rid of a bunch of restrictions on topics like immigration and gender that are just out of touch with mainstream discourse".
The 40-year-old billionaire said the shift was in response to the US presidential elections, which he labelled "a cultural tipping point towards, once again, prioritising speech".
Trump and Zuckerberg have had a rollercoaster relationship. Trump threatened to jail the tech boss if he interfered in the election before a November rapprochement involving dinner at Mar-a-Lago, the incoming president's Florida resort, and Zuckerberg donating $1m to his inauguration fund.
この記事は The Guardian の January 08, 2025 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Guardian の January 08, 2025 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Wada faces crisis after US withholds its funding
The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) is facing a crisis after the US government defaulted on a $3.6m contribution to the global sport watchdog's annual budget.
All change at West Ham Lopetegui out, Potter hired... now Steidten may be axed too
West Ham have appointed Graham Potter as their manager after ending days of uncertainty by firing Julen Lopetegui.
Police hand 'full file' to CPS over footballer accused of rape
The Metropolitan police has handed a \"full file\" of evidence on a Premier League footballer accused of rape to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Bergvall rides luck to give Spurs a lift and leave Liverpool fuming
Tottenham feared it was going to be a story about a fresh take on VAR pain.
Potter must work magic to rebuild hapless Hammers
Lopetegui's exit leaves behind team without identity or resilience, though he is not solely to blame for shambles
Young at heart: Father and son story can add to rich history of Cup
Ashley Young hopes to line up against his son Tyler when Everton face Peterborough in today's FA Cup showdown
Trial will give fans chance to drink alcohol during games
The Women's Championship clubs Birmingham, Bristol City, Newcastle and Southampton will take part in a trial permitting fans to drink alcohol in the stands while watching games.
South Africa must push back against Afghan women's ban, says Hain
The veteran anti-apartheid campaigner Peter Hain has called on Cricket South Africa to challenge the ban on women's and girls' cricket in Afghanistan.
Feyi-Waboso dilemma over surgery for sake of Lions goal
England's Manny Feyi-Waboso is still in two minds about whether to undergo a shoulder operation that could affect his chances of British & Irish Lions selection later this year.
Archie Vaughan follows his father into England captaincy with U19s
Archie Vaughan is following in the footsteps of his father, Michael, after being named as England Under-19 captain.
