Meta’s decision to end its third-party fact-checking programme, replace it with a flawed Community Notes system, and relax content moderation policies is a reckless and dangerous gamble by one of the world’s most influential social media giants.
Poor content moderation has already fueled real-world harm such as election interference (United States in 2016, and Brazil 2022), violence and hate speech (Rohingya genocide in 2016, and violence against the Tigrayan community in Ethiopia in 2021), as well as amplified conspiracies and misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new move risks triggering an even bigger explosion of misinformation, amplifying societal divisions, and harming vulnerable communities on a global scale.
The Campaign on Digital Ethics (CODE) believes that Meta’s changes, framed disingenuously as a commitment to free expression, represents a retreat from accountability. Replacing professional fact-checking with Community Notes isn’t a solution—it’s a shortcut that prioritises profits and aligns with Trump-era political narratives, sacrificing the safety and integrity of our information ecosystem.
Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO and self-styled champion of free speech, has built an empire on data extraction and dopamine-driven algorithms. Yet, his actions continue to reveal that he is less of a tech visionary and more of a Silicon Valley overlord cloaking greed and political expediency under the pretence of lofty ideals. Despite what Zuckerberg claims, unmoderated platforms do not foster a diversity of voices; they often amplify the loudest and the most harmful perspectives.
While Meta argues that its content moderation systems have led to overreach, dismantling safeguards entirely is not the solution. Mistakes in moderation call for improvement, not abandonment. Relaxing enforcement of content policies and relying on user reports instead of professional oversight risks creating an environment where harassment, hate speech, and disinformation can flourish unchecked. Free speech should not mean having free rein to spread falsehoods, harm vulnerable communities, or destabilise democracies.
In South Africa, where current and historical inequalities, cultural sensitivities, and political tensions intersect, such an approach could exacerbate societal divides and silence marginalised voices. Without professional fact-checking oversight, issues like immigration, land reform, and election integrity are ripe for manipulation and political opportunism, leaving public discourse open to exploitation.
“By removing safeguards like professional fact-checking and replacing them with flawed systems, Meta is not democratizing truth—it is weaponizing misinformation,” said Kavisha Pillay, Executive Director of CODE. “Tech oligarchs like Mark Zuckerberg hold immense power over what we see and share but avoid the responsibilities that come with it. If left unchecked, this growing techno-feudal order risks deepening inequality, furthering polarisation, and undermining global democracy.”
CODE calls on the South African government to develop robust and progressive regulatory frameworks, akin to the European Union’s Digital Services Act, to hold tech companies accountable for the content that they host and amplify. Such laws should mandate transparent content moderation, swift action against dangerous content, and provide comprehensive user rights, including effective appeal processes.
Additionally, CODE calls for a nationwide digital literacy campaign to be implemented to empower the public to navigate the digital landscape responsibly. These initiatives should focus on teaching critical thinking skills in schools, universities, workplaces and community centers, providing multilingual resources, and equipping the public with the necessary skills to navigate the digital landscape responsibly.
For media queries contact Kavisha Pillay - kavisha@code-sa.org
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