Huge problems with axing fact checkers, Meta oversight board says

Published On Jan 8, 2025, 7:10 AM

Helle Thorning-Schmidt, co-chair of Meta's oversight board, expressed deep concerns over Meta’s decision to eliminate fact-checking, especially regarding its potential harms to minority groups like the LGBTQ+ community. While the changes allow users to evaluate post accuracy like X's community notes, she highlighted that hate speech could lead to real-life harm. CEO Mark Zuckerberg defended the shift as a move towards free expression, facing criticisms that it may be politically motivated to align with the incoming Trump administration. While some pro-free speech advocates welcome the change, concerns remain about its effect on advertisers and overall moderation quality, especially after X's challenges with similar policies.