Meta is ending its fact-checking program in the U.S. and replacing it with a "Community Notes" system similar to that implemented on X (formerly Twitter), as announced on Tuesday. This new approach will permit users across Meta's platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, to highlight posts that may be misleading and require further context, shifting the focus from independent fact-checking organizations to community involvement.

Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s Founder and CEO, stated, “Experts, like everyone else, have their own biases and perspectives. This showed up in the choices some made about what to fact-check and how … A programme intended to inform too often became a tool to censor,” illustrating a reevaluation of the company's previous strategies regarding misinformation management (Reuters).

Meta acknowledged that its ongoing efforts in managing platform content had "expanded to the point where we are making too many mistakes," which has frustrated users and obstructed the free expression that the company aimed to safeguard. The Community Notes model will be gradually introduced in the U.S. over the coming months, with enhancements planned throughout the year.

Additionally, Meta will cease the practice of demoting content that has been fact-checked, instead opting for a labeling method that provides users with additional information related to posts without employing the current full-screen warnings that require users to click through for details. This strategic shift aims to promote user engagement and reduce the risk of censorship (SCMP).