Meta has announced it is abandoning independent fact-checkers on Facebook and Instagram, replacing them with user-driven “community notes” similar to X. CEO Mark Zuckerberg said third-party moderators were “too politically biased” and called for a return to “free expression.” The move comes as Meta seeks to improve ties with US President-elect Donald Trump.
The managing editor of The Journal, Susan Daly, has responded to this surprise move by explaining how factchecking works on Meta platforms. As part of Meta’s Third-Party Fact-Checking Programme, TheJournal flags misinformation circulating on Meta’s platforms — but retains full editorial control over what topics it investigates, how claims are selected, and what conclusions are reached.
The piece explains that Meta does not influence or approve factchecks, and that TheJournal adheres to the International Fact-Checking Network’s Code of Principles, including transparency, fairness, and public accountability. While factchecks are used by Meta to label or reduce the reach of false content, TheJournal does not remove posts or determine platform penalties.
TheJournal says this transparency is essential as misinformation — and distrust of media — increase. They emphasize that partnerships like this one are not endorsements of Meta’s policies, but part of a broader effort to ensure accurate information reaches the public.
