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via Imago

via Imago

The winds of change are sweeping through social media, and Meta is at the heart of it all. In a bold move, Mark Zuckerberg recently announced that Facebook and Instagram will no longer use third-party fact-checkers. Instead, the platforms will adopt a “Community Notes”-style system seemingly inspired by Elon Musk’s X.

Zuckerberg’s announcement, paired with a detailed company blog post, emphasized the need to lift restrictions on mainstream discourse while focusing enforcement on more severe violations. For some, this move is a celebration of free speech. For others, it’s a dangerous gamble in a world where misinformation spreads like wildfire. One man who wasted no time sharing his thoughts was grappling phenom, Gordon Ryan!

Mark Zuckerberg in Gordon Ryan’s crosshairs as Meta CEO bids goodbye to third-party fact-checkers

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In a post of the Meta CEO’s statement shared on his Instagram story, Ryan wrote, “This is why we elected Trump. Right here.” The BJJ wizard is known as much for his skills on the mat as he is for his controversial persona on social media. But the President-elect himself lauded Zuckerberg and Meta’s move in a recent press conference where he stated that the company “has come a long way” and applauded the decision as a step towards fairness.

His approval isn’t surprising. Fact-checking programs, while intended to curb misinformation, often drew criticism for perceived bias towards a particular spectrum. Whether this shift represents genuine reform or a calculated political move remains up for debate. Yet, as Gordon Ryan’s comment suggests, many view this as validation of the ideals that propelled Trump to power once again, in the first place.

In the video posted by Zuckerberg, the Meta CEO confessed, “After Trump first got elected in 2016, the legacy media wrote nonstop about how misinformation was a threat to democracy. We tried in good faith to address those concerns without becoming the arbiters of truth, but the fact checkers have just been too politically biased and have destroyed more trust than they’ve created, especially in the US.”

 

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Gordon Ryan’s comment underscores the polarizing nature of this decision. Known for his unfiltered takes, the grappling legend isn’t shy about sharing his support for Trump. His recent Instagram story highlights the broader cultural divide: for some, Meta’s move is a victory for free speech; for others, it’s a step toward unchecked chaos.

But what does Elon Musk have to say about Zuckerberg taking a page out of X’s book to make this massive change to Meta? Well, he had a simple 3-word response that spoke volumes about the monumental shift in policy.

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Elon Musk and Dana White chime in with their support for Zuckerberg’s bold move  

Meta’s shift away from fact-checkers has ignited discussions across tech and pop culture, drawing the attention of heavyweights like Elon Musk. Musk, whose X platform served as the inspiration for Meta’s new “Community Notes”-style system, didn’t hold back his approval. In true Musk fashion, he kept it brief, “This is cool.” But the simplicity of his words underscores a shared vision between these tech titans—a belief in community-driven moderation as the future of social media.

Amid the fanfare, Mark Zuckerberg’s own words painted a broader picture. In his video announcement, he didn’t shy away from the challenges Meta faces. Zuckerberg emphasized the global implications of censorship, particularly the difficulties American companies face abroad as he stated, “The US has the strongest constitutional protections for free expression in the world. Europe has an ever-increasing number of laws institutionalizing censorship and making it difficult to build anything innovative there. Latin American countries have secret courts that can order companies to quietly take things down.”

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While Musk’s reaction was subtle, Dana White’s enthusiasm stole the show. Responding to Musk’s post, the UFC CEO exclaimed, “You are COOL!!!” It was a lighthearted nod, but one that also highlights White’s growing influence in this sphere. As a new member of Meta’s board of directors, the UFC boss’s involvement signals a fascinating blend of sports, tech, and free speech advocacy.

In conclusion, Meta’s announcement, Musk’s approval, and White’s enthusiasm show a growing alliance between powerful figures who believe in less moderation and more dialogue. Will this new approach restore trust and innovation, or will it unleash a wave of misinformation? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! 

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