Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, is implementing significant changes across the company’s social media platforms, aligning them more closely with President-elect Donald Trump’s and his supporters’ preferences. This shift involves removing fact-checking measures often criticized by conservatives and adopting more lenient policies regarding the expression of right-leaning views.
Zuckerberg has framed the electoral outcomes as a pivotal moment for restoring the prioritization of free speech, prompting the relaxation of content moderation policies on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. This development reflects the growing influence of perspectives that challenge government and traditional media interventions in online discourse.
Given Meta’s vast user base, these changes are expected to have far-reaching effects, potentially reshaping the internet landscape in ways that cater to the ‘Make America Great Again’ (MAGA) movement. The timing and presentation of the announcements appeared strategically directed at Trump, with Meta choosing to first share the updates through Fox & Friends, a program favored by the president-elect.
Joel Kaplan, Meta’s newly promoted policy chief and former senior adviser to George W. Bush, publicly supported the move during his appearance on the show, reinforcing the narrative of reduced censorship and greater freedom of expression. Kaplan’s involvement signals Meta’s ongoing adjustments ahead of Trump’s second term.
Despite Trump’s previous criticisms of Zuckerberg and threats to pursue legal action against him, Meta’s leadership appears focused on cultivating a more favorable relationship with the incoming administration. The company is facing antitrust scrutiny from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), with a trial scheduled for April. Comments made by outgoing FTC Chair Lina Khan suggest there may be skepticism about Meta’s intentions to secure favorable treatment from the next administration.
In addition to revising content policies, Zuckerberg announced plans to eliminate restrictions on discussions surrounding immigration and gender, reflecting sentiments that such topics have become disconnected from mainstream public opinion. The company will also discontinue collaborations with third-party fact-checking organizations, shifting towards a community-driven system modeled after the one utilized by X (formerly Twitter). This decision stems from concerns within Meta that fact-checking initiatives have contributed to eroding public trust, particularly in the United States.
Meta plans to adopt a more hands-off approach to content management, with Kaplan emphasizing that future moderation will require stronger justification before posts are removed. This represents a significant departure from previous policies characterized by aggressive enforcement measures.
While these changes have been praised by conservative figures, critics, including misinformation researchers, caution that they could lead to an increase in harmful and misleading content across Meta’s platforms. The reduction of fact-checking partnerships is also expected to negatively impact media outlets that rely on funding from tech companies, potentially resulting in job losses for journalists working in those sectors.
Observers speculate that Zuckerberg’s announcements may accelerate the migration of users to alternative social media platforms, while others believe that average users may not immediately notice significant differences. Meta also plans to enhance visibility for civic content, adjusting its algorithms to amplify posts related to elections, politics, and social issues. This marks a shift from the previous policy of limiting such content to mitigate user stress.
Meta’s leadership intends to offer users a more personalized experience, allowing those interested in political discourse to engage with more of it in their feeds. This development highlights Meta’s substantial influence over the digital information landscape and the evolving role it continues to play in shaping public dialogue.
