Meta's Oversight Board, responsible for overseeing Instagram and WhatsApp policies, asked the company not to replace its professional journalist-led fact-checking program with the "Community Notes" system. The request was made regarding 16 Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America, where Meta plans to implement this change.
The Oversight Board argues that professional fact-checking and "Community Notes," created and approved by ordinary social media users, are complementary mechanisms that serve different purposes. According to the body, each system has distinct characteristics and objectives that should not be confused.
The Board emphasizes that "Community Notes" can be counterproductive in repressive regimes or highly polarized countries, where misinformation can spread more easily without professional mediation. Therefore, the body urges Meta not to present "Community Notes" as a direct replacement for professional fact-checking.
The statement also reinforces the need to use tools capable of addressing misinformation in a way that protects freedom of expression while adequately confronting the potential harms caused by false information. Meta has not yet commented on the recommendation.
