
In a controversial shift, Meta’s decision to end its U.S. fact-checking program has fueled online harassment and political attacks on civil society groups dedicated to combating misinformation.
Growing Threats to Fact-Checkers
Fact-checkers working with platforms like Facebook, X, YouTube, and TikTok report an uptick in harassment following Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s announcement. Aistė Meidutė, editor of Lithuania’s Delfi project Lie Detector, said the move has emboldened online haters, leading to threats and discrediting their work.
“It was a huge blow to our credibility,” Meidutė explained, adding that her team remains especially concerned as Lithuania faces heightened vulnerability to foreign interference.
The termination of the program, which Meta introduced in 2016 to address disinformation, reflects Zuckerberg’s pivot to a “community-notes” system akin to Wikipedia. Critics warn this approach lacks the rigor of independent fact-checking and risks amplifying misinformation.
A Political and Financial Fallout
Meta’s shift comes as part of a broader retreat from disinformation efforts among Big Tech firms. Google and LinkedIn recently scaled back their partnerships with European fact-checkers, while X withdrew from the EU’s disinformation code entirely in 2023.
Observers suspect Meta’s policy change aims to appease Donald Trump, who has criticized media fact-checking as censorship. Nick Clegg, Meta’s outgoing policy chief, defended the decision as “scalable” and dismissed criticism as political noise.
Yet, backlash has been swift. In Slovenia, opposition leader Janez Janša celebrated the move with a mocking tweet: “By[e], By[e] Anuška?” targeting fact-checker Anuška Delić, editor-in-chief of Oštro.
Implications for Europe
While Meta’s new policy currently affects only the U.S., European fact-checkers fear it signals an eventual overhaul in Europe, despite regulatory hurdles like the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA).
The DSA mandates stricter accountability for online platforms, requiring transparency and risk assessments before implementing systemic changes. Morten Langfeldt Dahlback of Norway’s Faktisk sees Meta’s exit from the U.S. program as a prelude to similar changes globally.
Thomas Regnier, an EU Commission spokesperson, emphasized that platforms must consult with the Commission before enacting significant rule changes. Press freedom advocates have urged the Commission to intervene, but bureaucracy could hinder timely enforcement.
The Fight Against Misinformation Persists
Despite reduced funding and heightened harassment, fact-checkers remain resolute. Delić and others stress that their work remains vital in combating viral falsehoods, even as Big Tech pulls back support.
“We will survive this,” Delić affirmed, acknowledging the challenges ahead but underscoring the importance of upholding European democracy against the tide of disinformation.
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