IFCN writes Meta CEO, warns against setbacks of online accuracy

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SEQUEL to Meta‘s announcement to end its third-party fact-checking programme in the United States, over 100 fact-checking organizations who are signatories to the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) have warned against setbacks for accuracy online and its potential global real-life consequences.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads, has announced its decision to end its third-party fact-checking programming in the US, thus sparking concerns from journalists and advocacy groups across the world.

The programme, launched in 2016, aimed to combat misinformation by partnering with verified nonpartisan fact-checkers to label and reduce the spread of false information without removing such content outrightly.

READ: Mixed reactions as Meta ends fact-checking programme, embraces community notes

In an open letter addressed to Meta CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, on January 9, 2025, fact-checkers expressed disappointment in Zuckerberg’s statement arguing that the decision threatens nearly a decade of progress in promoting accurate information online.

They criticized Meta’s rationale, which claimed the programme had become “a tool to censor” due to political bias.

“This is false,” the letter stated, emphasizing the programme’s strict non-partisanship standards. Fact-checkers involved were required to undergo annual independent verification by the IFCN, including independent assessment and peer review to ensure objectivity and transparency.

The letter also highlighted Meta’s long-standing praise of the programme’s effectiveness, pointing to internal research and Congressional testimony that demonstrated reduced belief in and sharing of false information. The fact-checkers refuted claims of censorship, clarifying that “Meta”not the “fact-checkers”decided how flagged content was handled.

Despite these assurances, Meta’s announcement comes at a politically sensitive time, with some speculating that the move is a response to political pressure from the incoming U.S. administration.

Incoming US President, Donald Trump, whose own content was often flagged under the programme, praised the decision, suggesting it may stem from threats he made against Zuckerberg.

The implications of ending the programme extend beyond U.S. borders. Meta operates similar initiatives in over 100 countries, many of which are particularly vulnerable to the destabilizing effects of misinformation. The letter warned that discontinuing these efforts could lead to political instability, election interference, and even violence in some regions.

The FactCheckHub reported Meta’s plans to replace the fact-checking programme with a Community Notes feature similar to that used by X (formerly Twitter). However, critics argue that such a system, reliant on political consensus rather than evidence-based accuracy, may fall short of ensuring reliable information.

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The letter concluded with a call for increased investment in public service journalism and fact-checking to safeguard democratic discourse.

“Access to truth fuels freedom of speech,” the letter reads. “The decision to end Meta’s fact-checking programme is a step backward for an internet that prioritizes accurate and trustworthy information.”

Meta has not yet responded to the letter or addressed the broader concerns raised about the programme’s potential global impact.

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