Meta's End of US Fact-Checking Program Sparks Concerns: Maria Ressa Warns of Dangerous Times Ahead
In a move that has stirred significant concern within the journalism and social media communities, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced the termination of its US fact-checking program. This decision has drawn sharp criticism from Nobel laureate Maria Ressa, who co-founded the Rappler news site in the Philippines. Ressa, a tireless advocate in the battle against online disinformation, has warned of "extremely dangerous times ahead" for both journalism and democracy.
The fact-checking program, which has been instrumental in combating fake news and misinformation on Meta’s platforms, has long been a source of contention, particularly in politically polarized environments. The decision to halt this initiative in the United States is seen by many, including Ressa, as a move driven by Meta’s desire to appease political pressures rather than prioritize the integrity of information. Ressa, speaking to AFP in an interview from the Rappler newsroom in Manila, strongly rejected the claim made by Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, that the program had become too "politically biased." According to Ressa, Zuckerberg’s assertions were deeply flawed, arguing that the elimination of fact-checking would open the door for lies, fear, and hate to permeate social media platforms unchecked.
For years, Ressa and Rappler have been at the forefront of fighting against disinformation, often facing political backlash. The news site has found itself in the crosshairs of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte’s administration due to its critical reporting on his deadly drug war. These efforts have led to legal challenges for Ressa, including politically motivated charges aimed at stifling press freedom. In light of Meta’s recent decision, Ressa sees striking parallels between Duterte’s tactics and those of US President-elect Donald Trump, who has long criticized Meta for alleged bias and has threatened the company with retaliation.
Ressa’s concerns about the direction Meta is taking reflect deeper issues within social media ecosystems. By ending its fact-checking program, Meta risks contributing to the creation of a "world without facts" — a world that, according to Ressa, is ripe for exploitation by dictators and other authoritarian figures. She warns that Zuckerberg's decision to prioritize profits over the safety of individuals on the platform could undermine the integrity of democratic societies, leading to an environment where misinformation thrives and the public’s trust in media erodes.
Rappler, which has been working with Meta’s fact-checking program for years, expressed its commitment to continue fighting disinformation. Despite the decision in the US, Rappler vowed to uphold its mission of protecting Filipinos from manipulation and ensuring the flow of accurate information in the face of rising online falsehoods. The closure of the US fact-checking initiative is seen by Rappler as a signal of even more perilous times ahead for journalism and free speech.
As the media landscape continues to evolve, with tech giants like Meta at the center of the debate, the survival of journalism is more crucial than ever. Ressa emphasized that the survival of democracy is closely tied to the health of journalism, and as misinformation spreads, it becomes harder to discern truth from falsehood. This moment serves as a pivotal juncture in the fight for information integrity, and Ressa has vowed to continue her efforts to protect the public from the dangers posed by the unchecked spread of false narratives.
Refrence From: www.ndtv.com