Our response to the latest Meta announcement to end fact-checking

Meta's recent announcement that they will stop using fact-checkers to "dramatically reduce the amount of censorship" on its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and Threads, concerns us, especially given the impact this might have on vulnerable groups, older people or people with disability.

Meta's decision will likely lead to a surge in misinformation, fake news, and even harmful content. At Good Things Australia we support older people to learn essential digital skills as part of the Be Connected program and we know they are one group most at risk. They not only represent a significant portion of Facebook's audience, many of them have lower digital literacy, making it difficult to distinguish between fact and fiction online. This demographic is already more susceptible to scams, conspiracy theories, and misleading information – and without fact-checkers, the situation is only going to get worse.

We cannot ignore the broader societal implications here. When large platforms like Meta remove safeguards like fact-checking, they place an overwhelming burden on individuals to verify the information they consume. But for people with limited digital skills, this isn't just a challenge; it's a danger. A simple click could lead to a harmful scam or financial loss. We have seen this and heard many stories through our Be Connected program and our Good Things Network Partners. The Australian Adult Media Literacy 2024 report, found that six in ten adults saw false or misleading information online in the past week, and are less likely to report misinformation online than younger Australians.

It's imperative that tech giants like Meta continue to invest in tools, education, and moderation systems that safeguard vulnerable users. We can't expect individuals, particularly those lacking digital literacy, to shoulder the responsibility of fact-checking on their own.

To get help or to help someone else learn how to recognise misinformation and disinformation online, visit https://goodthingsaustralia.org/ and https://beconnected.esafety.gov.au/