American Invest Hub
  • Politics
  • Investing
  • Business
  • Latest News

American Invest Hub

  • Politics
  • Investing
  • Business
  • Latest News
Business

Reddit co-founder supports Meta’s fact-checking removal, calls it ‘pragmatic’

by admin February 27, 2025
February 27, 2025
Reddit co-founder supports Meta’s fact-checking removal, calls it ‘pragmatic’

Meta’s decision to scrap its third-party fact-checking program has reignited debate over social media’s role in moderating content.

The move, described as “pragmatic” by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, marks a broader shift in how digital platforms approach misinformation.

Meta announced in January that it would discontinue external fact-checking on its platforms, starting in the US.

The decision comes as CEO Mark Zuckerberg implements sweeping policy changes, replacing the program with a community-based system.

While critics argue the shift could weaken misinformation controls, supporters say it acknowledges the practical limitations of large-scale fact-checking.

Ohanian, speaking at the Web Summit in Qatar, backed Meta’s new approach, stating that fact-checking at scale is “impossible” and that the previous system was unviable.

The change reflects a growing trend in the tech industry, where companies are moving toward decentralised moderation models that rely on user input rather than external verification.

Political pressures and policy shifts

Meta’s reversal comes at a politically charged moment.

The fact-checking program, launched in 2016, had drawn criticism from conservatives, including Donald Trump, for allegedly targeting right-wing content.

As Trump prepares for a second term, Meta is pivoting to a different model—one that resembles the approach taken by X (formerly Twitter).

The company’s new content moderation system, called Community Notes, allows users to provide context to posts rather than relying on third-party organisations.

Meta’s chief global affairs officer, Joel Kaplan, confirmed the shift, stating that the company is “taking a more personalised approach” to political content, ensuring that users who want to see such posts can access them.

The decision also aligns with Zuckerberg’s recent rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

The Meta CEO has acknowledged past missteps, including compliance with White House requests to moderate Covid-19 content, which he described as government overreach.

Kaplan, a former Republican strategist, has played a key role in shaping Meta’s evolving policies.

He praised X’s community-driven approach, where users collectively decide when posts require additional context.

With over 3.9 billion people using Meta’s platforms, this shift represents a significant gamble on user-led moderation.

Reddit’s moderation challenges

Reddit, which Ohanian co-founded in 2005, has long struggled with moderation.

Initially, the platform allowed unrestricted content but later introduced community-based rules to tackle harassment, racism, and other harmful behaviours.

Reddit’s experience highlights the potential pitfalls of community-driven moderation.

While its approach has helped manage content across its 70 million daily active users, it has also faced backlash over inconsistent enforcement and controversial subreddit bans.

Meta’s adoption of a similar model suggests it is prioritising engagement over external scrutiny.

Community Notes could reduce political backlash by removing third-party fact-checkers, placing responsibility on users instead.

However, concerns remain about its effectiveness. While X’s implementation of Community Notes has been praised for improving transparency, it has also struggled with misinformation challenges.

Whether Meta’s version can succeed at scale remains uncertain.

The future of fact-checking

Meta’s move reflects a broader industry shift in handling misinformation. With AI-driven algorithms shaping user feeds and community-led moderation gaining traction, traditional fact-checking methods are increasingly being phased out.

Other platforms, including TikTok and YouTube, have also scaled back reliance on external fact-checkers, favouring automated systems and user-generated reports.

While supporters argue that these changes empower users and reduce bias, critics warn that they could enable misinformation.

As the 2024 US election approaches, Meta’s approach will be closely scrutinised for its impact on political discourse and digital accountability.

The post Reddit co-founder supports Meta’s fact-checking removal, calls it ‘pragmatic’ appeared first on Invezz

0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
previous post
How YouTube star MrBeast plans to scale his $5B brand with new investors
next post
Tesla stock price forecast: 4 reasons TSLA is imploding

Related Posts

Short E-mini S&P 500: Struggles to break $6,000,...

November 9, 2024

Apple loses top phonemaker spot to Samsung as...

April 17, 2024

Fidelity sees more nations integrating Bitcoin as crypto...

January 8, 2025

Can Nissan regain its edge? New CEO’s plan...

March 26, 2025

After Klarna IPO, is UK’s crypto-friendly neobank Revolut...

November 14, 2024

Asian stocks wobbly on Thursday: Nikkei down 1%,...

January 9, 2025

Aldi to add 800 new U.S. grocery stores...

March 8, 2024

CrowdStrike stock could dive in 2025 despite strong...

December 29, 2024

Top analyst reveals the best AI chip stock...

January 18, 2025

Lloyds share price outlook ahead of the BoE...

December 12, 2024

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Latest News

    • Interview: Strategic location gives Brazil Potash cost advantage in domestic fertiliser market, says CEO Matt Simpson

      June 1, 2025
    • Canada’s Q1 GDP expands by 2.2%, driven by exports spike ahead of potential US tariffs

      June 1, 2025
    • President Trump to host farewell for Elon Musk as DOGE leader steps away

      June 1, 2025
    • UK’s digital banks face divergent fortunes: Starling stumbles, Monzo and Revolut soars

      June 1, 2025
    • Trump wants Apple to shift iPhone production from India to the US: here’s what it means

      May 18, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (3,022)
    • Investing (2,459)
    • Latest News (1,994)
    • Politics (1,530)
    • About us
    • Contact us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: americaninvesthub.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2025 americaninvesthub.com | All Rights Reserved