Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has announced plans to discontinue its use of independent fact-checkers, opting instead for a system where users can comment on the accuracy of posts.

This shift mirrors the "community notes" feature used by X (formerly Twitter).

The change, which also applies to Meta's Instagram and Threads platforms, was unveiled by CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

He cited concerns about political bias among third-party moderators, stating, "We're going to get back to our roots... restoring free expression on our platforms.

“First, we will eliminate fact-checkers and replace them with community notes similar to X.

“This means we'll catch fewer problematic posts but also reduce the number of innocent users who are wrongly penalized."

Zuckerberg argued that third-party fact-checkers have undermined trust, especially in the U.S., by being overly politicized.

The move reflects a broader shift in Meta's policies toward a more conservative-leaning emphasis on free speech.

Last month, Meta donated $1m to former President Donald Trump’s inauguration fund and appointed several Trump allies to key positions, including Joel Caplan, a prominent Republican who succeeded Nick Clegg as President of Global Affairs.

Trump praised the decision to end fact-checking, suggesting it was influenced by his recent threats against Zuckerberg.

In August, Trump vowed to imprison Zuckerberg for life, accusing him of election interference.

Meta plans to roll out the new user-driven fact-checking system in the U.S. over the coming months, with further enhancements expected throughout the year.

As part of the change, Meta will also stop demoting posts flagged by fact-checkers.