Meta is set to cut its US-based fact-checking program, leaving partners with uncertain futures. Mark Zuckerberg announced the move just hours after saying the social media giant would eliminate its US-based fact-checkers. As a result, fact-checking partners are working overtime to slow the spread of misinformation online, even as wildfires ravage Los Angeles.
Fact-checking partners have taken on their own fight against misinformation, debunking conspiracy theories and false claims that claim the fires were deliberately set by the government or controlled through weather manipulation. The move will force some partners to lay off staff or shut down once Meta’s financial support dries up.
Critics say Zuckerberg’s plan to replace the fact-checking program with a community-sourced approach is not enough, as it doesn’t provide the same level of accountability and expertise. “Community Notes” relies on user agreements, which can be swayed by personal biases, and lacks ethical guidelines for accuracy. Experts warn that this move will spread misinformation further.
President-elect Donald Trump has already promoted baseless claims, blaming Democrats for the wildfires, while Elon Musk downplayed climate change’s role in causing the fires. Alex Jones’ conspiracy theories have also gone unchecked, with over 17 million views on X before being marked by a Community Note. Critics argue that professional fact-checkers can tackle complex claims more effectively than community-based systems.
As the misinformation spreads, experts urge caution and emphasize the importance of credible sources to combat the rising tide of conspiracy theories and disinformation.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/13/tech/meta-fact-checkers-wildfire-conspiracy-theories/index.html