Meta’s fact-check pivot to hit orgs in PH, ‘Global South’ worst — experts | ABS-CBN
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Meta’s fact-check pivot to hit orgs in PH, ‘Global South’ worst — experts
Meta’s fact-check pivot to hit orgs in PH, ‘Global South’ worst — experts
Jauhn Etienne Villaruel,
ABS-CBN News
Published Jan 10, 2025 03:50 PM PHT
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Updated Jan 10, 2025 04:44 PM PHT
This photo illustration created on January 7, 2025, in Washington, DC, shows an image of Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, and an image of the Meta logo. Drew Angerer, AFP
This photo illustration created on January 7, 2025, in Washington, DC, shows an image of Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, and an image of the Meta logo. Drew Angerer, AFPMANILA (UPDATE) — Meta's termination of its fact-checking program in the US will likely impact newsrooms and organizations in the Philippines and other lower-income "Global South" nations that have become "reliant" on the company's "philanthrocapitalism," a Filipino disinformation expert said.
MANILA (UPDATE) — Meta's termination of its fact-checking program in the US will likely impact newsrooms and organizations in the Philippines and other lower-income "Global South" nations that have become "reliant" on the company's "philanthrocapitalism," a Filipino disinformation expert said.
On Tuesday, Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that the company would "get rid of fact-checkers [that] have just been too politically biased and have destroyed more trust than they've created, especially in the US."
On Tuesday, Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that the company would "get rid of fact-checkers [that] have just been too politically biased and have destroyed more trust than they've created, especially in the US."
He said Meta platform, including Facebook and Instagram, will shift to using "community notes" similar to those used on social media platform X.
He said Meta platform, including Facebook and Instagram, will shift to using "community notes" similar to those used on social media platform X.
These community notes are rated by platform users themselves in contrast to fact-check content prepared by verified third-party newsrooms.
These community notes are rated by platform users themselves in contrast to fact-check content prepared by verified third-party newsrooms.
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Jonathan Corpus Ong, a professor of Global Digital Media at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and author of several studies on the Philippine disinformation ecosystem, said Meta’s termination of its US fact-checking partnerships "raises significant alarm bells in newsrooms and nonprofits in Asia and the Global South at large."
Jonathan Corpus Ong, a professor of Global Digital Media at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and author of several studies on the Philippine disinformation ecosystem, said Meta’s termination of its US fact-checking partnerships "raises significant alarm bells in newsrooms and nonprofits in Asia and the Global South at large."
"Post-2016, many news organizations have become reliant on Big Tech’s ‘philanthrocapitalism’ to augment their revenue streams and expand their portfolio," he said in a statement sent to ABS-CBN News.
"Post-2016, many news organizations have become reliant on Big Tech’s ‘philanthrocapitalism’ to augment their revenue streams and expand their portfolio," he said in a statement sent to ABS-CBN News.
Philanthrocapitalism, a portmanteau, refers to an approach to doing philanthropy similar to how a for-profit business would be run.
Philanthrocapitalism, a portmanteau, refers to an approach to doing philanthropy similar to how a for-profit business would be run.
DEPENDENCE OF META'S MONEY
Under Meta's Third-Party Fact-Checking Program, the company funds and partners with independent fact-checkers to review and rate the accuracy of stories across Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
Under Meta's Third-Party Fact-Checking Program, the company funds and partners with independent fact-checkers to review and rate the accuracy of stories across Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
In 2022, Meta said it has built the "largest global fact-checking network of any platform and have contributed more than $100 million to programs supporting our fact-checking efforts since 2016."
In 2022, Meta said it has built the "largest global fact-checking network of any platform and have contributed more than $100 million to programs supporting our fact-checking efforts since 2016."
Ong cited their own research for Global Technology for Social Justice Lab (GloTech) published in 2024 that identified almost 100 Global South media organizations, newsrooms, and nonprofits that have pivoted their operations "to chase after Big Tech funding."
Ong cited their own research for Global Technology for Social Justice Lab (GloTech) published in 2024 that identified almost 100 Global South media organizations, newsrooms, and nonprofits that have pivoted their operations "to chase after Big Tech funding."
"I anticipate that those newsrooms and nonprofits that have pivoted their work to digital literacy and in the process became financially dependent on Big Tech philanthrocapitalism would be [made] most vulnerable by Meta’s new policy," Ong said.
"I anticipate that those newsrooms and nonprofits that have pivoted their work to digital literacy and in the process became financially dependent on Big Tech philanthrocapitalism would be [made] most vulnerable by Meta’s new policy," Ong said.
Many nonprofits and even some corporate newsrooms rely on grants to augment their budgets, an arrangement that has also raised concerns about transparency and editorial independence.
Many nonprofits and even some corporate newsrooms rely on grants to augment their budgets, an arrangement that has also raised concerns about transparency and editorial independence.
In the Philippines, Meta works with Agence France-Presse, Rappler and VERA Files.
In the Philippines, Meta works with Agence France-Presse, Rappler and VERA Files.
WHY THE PIVOT?
For UP Journalism professor Danilo Arao, Zuckerberg's decision was a result of "basic misunderstanding" of the "gatekeeping theory" and its importance in media systems.
For UP Journalism professor Danilo Arao, Zuckerberg's decision was a result of "basic misunderstanding" of the "gatekeeping theory" and its importance in media systems.
"There is a certain degree of gatekeeping that should be done on media, including social media platforms... For Meta, they're going to the direction of what we call freedom of expression absolutism. You try to put on equal footing the truth-seekers and the fake news purveyors," Arao told ANC's Headstart.
"There is a certain degree of gatekeeping that should be done on media, including social media platforms... For Meta, they're going to the direction of what we call freedom of expression absolutism. You try to put on equal footing the truth-seekers and the fake news purveyors," Arao told ANC's Headstart.
But Ong said Meta's pivot was most likely driven by the political climate in the US ahead of the new Trump administration.
But Ong said Meta's pivot was most likely driven by the political climate in the US ahead of the new Trump administration.
"Zuckerberg sees in Trump a political ally in combating global calls for tech justice and accountability... Indeed, Zuckerberg’s announcement signals to the world that they’re done apologizing for social media harms and appeasing legacy media around the world as their global partners," Ong said.
"Zuckerberg sees in Trump a political ally in combating global calls for tech justice and accountability... Indeed, Zuckerberg’s announcement signals to the world that they’re done apologizing for social media harms and appeasing legacy media around the world as their global partners," Ong said.
CRITICISMS VS FACT-CHECKING, COMMUNITY NOTES
Representatives of various news organizations, among them ABS-CBN News' Ging Reyes, (2nd left) and Rapplers' Maria Ressa (right), sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) of TSEK.PH with members of the academe at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City, February 11, 2019. TSEK.PH is a collaborative fact‐checking project to combat fake news and other forms of disinformation in the run‐up to the May 2019 elections. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File
Representatives of various news organizations, among them ABS-CBN News' Ging Reyes, (2nd left) and Rapplers' Maria Ressa (right), sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) of TSEK.PH with members of the academe at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City, February 11, 2019. TSEK.PH is a collaborative fact‐checking project to combat fake news and other forms of disinformation in the run‐up to the May 2019 elections. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/FileA handful of Filipino politicians had previously spoken out against the "bias" of fact-checkers tapped by Facebook.
A handful of Filipino politicians had previously spoken out against the "bias" of fact-checkers tapped by Facebook.
In 2021, Sen. Imee Marcos, during a Senate panel hearing, called out the two fact-checking partners of Facebook for being "anti-administration."
In 2021, Sen. Imee Marcos, during a Senate panel hearing, called out the two fact-checking partners of Facebook for being "anti-administration."
Arao said that, indeed, fact-checking is prone to polarization, but only because it was "biased" for the truth.
Arao said that, indeed, fact-checking is prone to polarization, but only because it was "biased" for the truth.
"There are accusations of bias because truth is being skewed towards the interests of certain groups... The duty of both legacy media and social media platforms even would be to speak truth to power, and when you speak truth to power, there is a certain bias for the truth," Arao said.
"There are accusations of bias because truth is being skewed towards the interests of certain groups... The duty of both legacy media and social media platforms even would be to speak truth to power, and when you speak truth to power, there is a certain bias for the truth," Arao said.
He also acknowledged that fact-checkers can commit mistakes, but what sets them apart from the "community notes" model Zuckerberg announced is the professionalism and system of accountability in place.
He also acknowledged that fact-checkers can commit mistakes, but what sets them apart from the "community notes" model Zuckerberg announced is the professionalism and system of accountability in place.
"If you are reliable, you are able to assume responsibility and to take corrective measures unlike many irresponsible vloggers and influencers who would just simply delete whatever mistakes they made. Or sometimes because they have been put in a corner, they would just simply stand by their lies and say that they’re telling the truth," Arao explained.
"If you are reliable, you are able to assume responsibility and to take corrective measures unlike many irresponsible vloggers and influencers who would just simply delete whatever mistakes they made. Or sometimes because they have been put in a corner, they would just simply stand by their lies and say that they’re telling the truth," Arao explained.
The professor also believes that the community notes model is not any better, and may even be more flawed.
The professor also believes that the community notes model is not any better, and may even be more flawed.
"Let's not focus on the term 'community' there, it’s just simply certain individuals and groups being able to hijack the algorithm of determining which is supposedly the truth and lies," he said.
"Let's not focus on the term 'community' there, it’s just simply certain individuals and groups being able to hijack the algorithm of determining which is supposedly the truth and lies," he said.
Arao said Meta's platforms risk "[ending up] like X, where the dominant narrative would be disinformation" because, he said, of "relatively organized" players trying to influence online discourse.
Arao said Meta's platforms risk "[ending up] like X, where the dominant narrative would be disinformation" because, he said, of "relatively organized" players trying to influence online discourse.
HOW IT AFFECTS THE PHILIPPINES
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) in a statement denounced Meta for "turning its back on its partners and, more importantly, its responsibility to its users."
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) in a statement denounced Meta for "turning its back on its partners and, more importantly, its responsibility to its users."
The union said the policy shift would make it easier for those in power to carry out influence operations ahead of the Philippines' midterm elections in May.
The union said the policy shift would make it easier for those in power to carry out influence operations ahead of the Philippines' midterm elections in May.
"Meta's decision and the potential eventual loss of fact-checking as a service for users in the Philippines will make it more difficult for journalists and newsrooms to address false claims and unverified narratives," NUJP said.
"Meta's decision and the potential eventual loss of fact-checking as a service for users in the Philippines will make it more difficult for journalists and newsrooms to address false claims and unverified narratives," NUJP said.
Arao said Meta's controversial move was definitely ill-advised.
Arao said Meta's controversial move was definitely ill-advised.
"It's not a good idea. At a time of disinformation, you should be strengthening fact-checking instead of removing it altogether," he said.
"It's not a good idea. At a time of disinformation, you should be strengthening fact-checking instead of removing it altogether," he said.
According to Ong, fact-checking organizations or units in the Philippines will suffer the most from the Meta's new policy.
According to Ong, fact-checking organizations or units in the Philippines will suffer the most from the Meta's new policy.
"In the Philippines, this is detrimental to fact-checking organizations as they are a frontline of defense against falsehoods especially from political elites we need to hold accountable," he said.
"In the Philippines, this is detrimental to fact-checking organizations as they are a frontline of defense against falsehoods especially from political elites we need to hold accountable," he said.
He also noted that funding from Big Tech goes beyond fact-checking programs.
He also noted that funding from Big Tech goes beyond fact-checking programs.
"[V]arious grants from Meta and Google have promoted media literacy interventions, independent research, and election monitoring work. But now all these are on the chopping block," Ong said
"[V]arious grants from Meta and Google have promoted media literacy interventions, independent research, and election monitoring work. But now all these are on the chopping block," Ong said
But for Ong, the end of Meta's fact-checking program also offers an opportunity for groups in the Philippines to recalibrate their approach in combatting the disinformation "industry."
But for Ong, the end of Meta's fact-checking program also offers an opportunity for groups in the Philippines to recalibrate their approach in combatting the disinformation "industry."
"This is also an opportunity to expand skillsets and approach the information crisis in holistic and sociological ways, such as in folding in other hyperlocal and community approaches to bridge polarized public spheres, empower citizens, and target industries selling disinformation as a service," he said.
"This is also an opportunity to expand skillsets and approach the information crisis in holistic and sociological ways, such as in folding in other hyperlocal and community approaches to bridge polarized public spheres, empower citizens, and target industries selling disinformation as a service," he said.
Last year, Ong and other disinformation scholars launched the Philippine Disinformation Resource Hub (PH Disinfo Hub), an online portal containing references, learning materials, and "everything you need to know about disinformation studies in the Philippines.
Last year, Ong and other disinformation scholars launched the Philippine Disinformation Resource Hub (PH Disinfo Hub), an online portal containing references, learning materials, and "everything you need to know about disinformation studies in the Philippines.
As local organizations gear up for Meta's pivot, NUJP reminded Filipino journalists that fact-checking has always been part of the journalistic process "even before Facebook came online."
As local organizations gear up for Meta's pivot, NUJP reminded Filipino journalists that fact-checking has always been part of the journalistic process "even before Facebook came online."
"[This] is also a reminder for the us to be even more stringent in the practice of our discipline of verification and even more transparent in our processes and about our mistakes," the union said.
"[This] is also a reminder for the us to be even more stringent in the practice of our discipline of verification and even more transparent in our processes and about our mistakes," the union said.
It added that "it falls on the media community to, hand-in-hand with academe, civil society and social media users, help make sure spaces remain for verified facts and for civil discourse on these hell sites."
It added that "it falls on the media community to, hand-in-hand with academe, civil society and social media users, help make sure spaces remain for verified facts and for civil discourse on these hell sites."
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