Thu Jan 09 05:58:16 UTC 2025: ## Australia Condemns Meta’s Decision to Scrap US Fact-Checking Program

**Sydney, Australia (January 9, 2025)** – Australia has expressed deep concern over Meta’s decision to eliminate its US fact-checking program on Facebook and Instagram. Treasurer Jim Chalmers stated the move, announced by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on January 7th, is a “damaging development” that risks a surge in online misinformation, jeopardizing democracy and public mental health.

Meta’s plan replaces fact-checkers with community-based posts, a decision Australian officials see as reckless. The Australian government, already actively working to regulate social media giants, has invested heavily in supporting trusted domestic news sources like the ABC and AAP to combat this issue.

This latest development follows Australia’s recent efforts to curb the spread of misinformation, including passing laws banning under-16s from social media and imposing hefty fines for systemic breaches. While previous attempts to directly fine companies for failing to control misinformation failed to gain parliamentary support, the government remains committed to protecting its citizens from harmful online content. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reiterated the government’s stance, urging social media companies to uphold their social responsibility.

The move has drawn criticism from various sectors. Digital Rights Watch accused Meta of prioritizing the incoming US President Donald Trump’s agenda, while AAP FactCheck, despite having its own contract unaffected, highlighted the crucial role of independent fact-checkers in protecting democratic discourse. The AFP, which collaborates with Facebook’s fact-checking program in 26 languages, is also impacted by this decision. Facebook currently works with around 80 fact-checking organizations globally.

The Australian government’s worry centers on the potential for increased misinformation to damage public health and erode democratic processes. The Treasurer’s comments highlight the ongoing struggle to balance freedom of speech with the need to combat the spread of false and misleading information online.

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