If Zuckerberg’s dismantling of the Third Party Fact-checking program reaches the EU, what kind of false stories could be allowed to circulate unchecked by professionals?
Organizations that contributed to this investigation: AFP, Correctiv, Demagog.cz, Demagog.pl, Ellinika Hoaxes, Facta, Maldita, Newtral, Polígrafo, Science Feedback, The Journal FactCheck
Enzo Panizio and Tommaso Canetta, the authors of the article, work for Facta, an organization that is part of Meta’s Third Party Fact-checking Program, and a member of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) and of the European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN)
Mark Zuckerberg’s recent decision to dismantle Meta’s Third Party Fact-checking Program (3PFC) in the United States has ignited a wave of criticism and concern, especially as the CEO framed fact-checkers’ work as “censorship” and “politically biased”. Fact-checking networks (like the European Fact-Checking Standard Network and International Fact-Checking Network), the European Digital Media Observatory and independent experts argue that this rhetoric not only misrepresents the role of fact-checkers but also exposes the deeply political motivations behind Meta’s move.
The announcement has raised alarms among journalists, independent observers, and institutions, who see it as a retreat from Meta’s commitment to curbing disinformation. The EFCSN condemned Zuckerberg’s statements, calling them “false and malicious” and warning of the implications of...
If Zuckerberg’s dismantling of the Third Party Fact-checking program reaches the EU, what kind of false stories could be allowed to circulate unchecked by professionals? Organizations that contrib...