President Joe Biden has strongly criticized Meta’s decision to eliminate its professional fact-checking program, calling the move “really shameful” amid growing concerns over content oversight on social media platforms.
He just realized he’s lost control.
At a Glance
- Biden labels Meta’s elimination of professional fact-checking “really shameful”
- Zuckerberg defends decision, citing pressure from Biden administration to censor content
- Meta replaces fact-checking with user-driven community notes
- Decision sparks debate over free speech and content moderation on social media
- Biden expresses regret over not effectively countering misinformation during his presidency
Biden’s Criticism of Meta’s Decision
In a recent press conference following a speech on economic progress, President Joe Biden voiced his strong disapproval of Meta’s decision to dismantle its professional fact-checking team. The move, which replaces expert fact-checkers with user-generated community notes, has ignited a fierce debate about content oversight on social media platforms.
Biden’s comments reflect growing concerns about the spread of misinformation and the role of tech giants in controlling false narratives. The President emphasized the importance of truth-telling and expressed worry about the lack of fact-checking and reporting on discrimination.
Zuckerberg’s Defense and Allegations of Government Pressure
On the same day as Biden’s criticism, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience, where he made startling revelations about alleged pressure from the Biden administration to censor COVID-19-related content. Zuckerberg disclosed that officials had demanded the removal of memes and posts critical of COVID-19 vaccines, with the White House reportedly contacting Meta aggressively.
“Basically, it just got to this point where we were like no, we’re not going to take down things that are true. That’s ridiculous,” Mark Zuckerberg said.
Zuckerberg stood firm in his decision to resist removing humorous content, stating that his team would not take down posts that were humorous and not factually false. He emphasized that Meta would not remove truthful information, despite pressure from the Biden administration.
Political Divide and Free Speech Concerns
The decision to dismantle Meta’s fact-checking system has drawn polarized reactions across the political spectrum. While Democrats criticize the change, citing concerns about the spread of misinformation, Republicans accuse Meta of historically silencing conservative voices. Zuckerberg acknowledged that reducing content moderation might allow more harmful content but recognized the need to move away from biased oversight.
“The whole idea of walking away from factchecking as well as not reporting anything having to do with discrimination regarding … I find it to be contrary to American justice,” the outgoing President told reporters during a press call on Friday. “Telling the truth matters.”
Oh really? So why did his White House tell Meta to not tell the truth?
Biden’s criticism extends beyond Meta’s decision, targeting the broader issue of tech leaders’ autonomy and the influence of billionaires on online discourse. The President expressed regret over not effectively countering misinformation during his presidency, highlighting the ongoing challenge of balancing free speech with responsible content moderation.
As the controversy unfolds, Meta has also announced the dismantling of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) team, citing changes in the US legal and policy landscape. This move, coupled with the elimination of professional fact-checking, signals a significant shift in Meta’s approach to content oversight and corporate priorities.
Big Tech is ending the insanity, it seems.