Rappler, Vera Files respond to Meta discontinuing fact-checkers

Metro Manila, Philippines - Philippine-based fact-checking organizations have issued strong reactions to a technology conglomerate’s decision to end its partnership with third-party fact-checkers.

Meta Platforms, Inc., the parent company of social media giants Facebook and Instagram, recently announced that it would discontinue the fact-checking program in the United States.

Online news platform Rappler sharply criticized Meta for the move, accusing the company of undermining the credibility of journalists and fact-checkers.

“We are dismayed by Meta’s decision to end the fact-checking program in the United States and appalled over statements made by Mr. Zuckerberg bad-mouthing fact-checkers,” Rappler said in a statement, referring to Mark Zuckerbeg, chairman and CEO of the social media service group.

The news outlet said fact-checkers follow rigorous methodologies to ensure the public receives accurate information.

“Fact-checking and verification is a critical due diligence process that responsible journalists and newsrooms go through each time we publish stories to protect the welfare of audiences,” Rappler said.

The publication warned that by halting fact-checking initiatives, Meta would be allowing manipulative and misleading content to thrive under the pretext of “free speech.”

In a separate statement, Vera Files announced that its contract with Meta would remain in effect until the end of this year.

“Since 2018, when Vera Files started its partnership with Facebook, we have helped the platform identify falsehoods and disinformation by presenting the facts. We have published over 2,300 articles under this partnership,” Vera Files stated.

Despite the upcoming termination of the partnership, Vera Files reassured the public that its commitment to truth-telling would remain unchanged.

“We will continue doing our work of informing the public with the truth,” Vera Files said.

In a surprise move, Meta said it is ending its fact-checking program days ahead of the incoming Trump administration. The tech giant said it is allowing more speech and letting users correct misinformation and disinformation among themselves.