MedDMO is deeply concerned by Meta’s recent decision to reduce professional fact-checking on Facebook and Instagram in favor of user-driven “community notes.” Professional fact-checking is vital for combating misinformation, ensuring accuracy, and fostering informed decision-making. It requires expertise, impartiality, and evidence-based processes that cannot be replaced by unmoderated community input.
It is our core belief that media literacy can empower individuals to critically assess information, but it cannot replace the structured and rigorous work of professional fact-checkers. Meta’s decision shifts the responsibility of combating misinformation to users, risking greater harm through amplified bias and unchecked falsehoods.
This step backward undermines the fight against disinformation, threatens the public’s access to accurate information, and neglects the platform’s responsibility to uphold integrity in digital discourse.
MedDMO stands firmly with the fact-checking organizations impacted by Meta’s decision, including members of our network, and is committed to supporting them through these challenges.
While Meta has implied that fact-checking in the EU will remain unchanged for now, this is little reassurance. The potential ripple effect of this decision remains a serious concern, and vigilance is needed to protect the progress made in combating disinformation across all regions.
