Social media giant Meta has announced significant changes to its content moderation policies, including the elimination of its fact-checking program, a decision tied to CEO Mark Zuckerberg's aim of promoting free expression on its platforms. In a video released on Tuesday, Zuckerberg emphasized a return to the company's roots, stating, "We're going to get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies and restoring free expression on our platforms" (The Hill).

The recent changes are seen as a major shift for Meta, which encompasses platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Zuckerberg announced that the company would be replacing traditional fact-checking processes with community notes, starting in the U.S., mirroring a strategy used by X (formerly Twitter) under Elon Musk's ownership.

President-elect Trump also commented on Meta’s move, stating that the company has made notable strides. "Honestly, I think they’ve come a long way," Trump said, referencing Joel Kaplan, Meta's head of policy, and suggesting the change is a response to criticisms directed at Zuckerberg during his campaign (The Hill).

Meta has faced criticism for its previous years-long fact-checking partnership with third-party organizations moderating content across more than 60 languages. The company deemed these practices overly restrictive, and its adjustments come amidst an evolving political landscape and the recent election.

Alongside the changes, Meta announced the appointment of UFC CEO Dana White, another ally of Trump, to its board, further showcasing the intertwining of political and corporate interests in current social media dynamics.