Mark Zuckerberg says that as the second Trump administration approaches, Meta will negatively abandon independent fact-checkers.

Meta’s decision to ditch fact-checkers on Facebook and Instagram in favor of “community notes” has stirred significant controversy, with critics arguing it will fuel misinformation. The shift, announced by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, mirrors Elon Musk’s similar approach on X (formerly Twitter). Zuckerberg framed the move as promoting free speech and combating perceived political bias in fact-checking, particularly among conservative voices.

However, this decision comes amid growing concerns over the unchecked spread of falsehoods online, exacerbated by figures like Donald Trump, who repeatedly promote debunked narratives, from election fraud to fabricated crime waves. Critics argue that eliminating fact-checkers will embolden users to post misleading content without accountability, undermining public discourse and enabling the spread of propaganda.

While Zuckerberg acknowledged the risks of increased harmful content, the move reflects a broader trend in social media—prioritizing engagement over accuracy under the guise of fairness and free speech.