Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced a significant shift in its fact-checking policy. Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg stated that third-party moderators were "too politically biased," prompting the decision to replace independent fact-checkers with a new system called "community notes." This move follows former President Donald Trump's criticism of Meta's previous policy, which he claimed censored right-wing voices. The change coincides with Trump's recent $25 million legal settlement with Meta over the suspension of his accounts following the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021.
Zuckerberg's decision to alter Meta's fact-checking approach appears to be part of a broader strategy to mend relations with Trump, especially after attending his inauguration last month alongside Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. The suspension of Trump's accounts in 2021 had strained their relationship, and this policy shift might be seen as an attempt to curry favor with the former president. Jesse Eisenberg, who portrayed Zuckerberg in the film "The Social Network," voiced his disapproval of the changes.
“Oh, they’re doing it to curry favour with somebody who’s preaching hate.” – Jesse Eisenberg
Eisenberg, who earned an Oscar nomination for his role in "The Social Network," expressed concern over Zuckerberg's actions. He distanced himself from the Meta CEO, highlighting the potential negative impact on marginalized communities.
“It’s like this guy is … doing things that are problematic, taking away factchecking,” – Jesse Eisenberg
Eisenberg emphasized that his perspective was shaped by personal experiences rather than his portrayal of Zuckerberg in the film. He noted that his wife teaches disability justice in New York, and he fears that changes like these could make life more challenging for her students.
“That’s what I think… not as like a person who played in a movie. I think of it as somebody who is married to a woman who teaches disability justice in New York and lives for her students are going to get a little harder this year.” – Jesse Eisenberg
Zuckerberg's decision to abandon independent fact-checkers has sparked debate over the potential implications for misinformation on social media platforms. Critics argue that relying on community oversight may not effectively counteract bias, while supporters applaud the move as a step toward freedom of expression.