Anthony Albanese reacts to Meta’s fact-checking choice
The prime minister reiterated his support for the government’s social media ban for individuals under 16.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the importance of social media companies assuming responsibility for content following Meta’s decision to discontinue its fact-checking service.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced the scrapping of Fact Checkers prior to U.S. President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20. Instead, they are transitioning to a “Community Notes” model similar to Elon Musk’s X.
Despite potential pressure from the Trump administration, Prime Minister Albanese affirmed his government’s stance on banning individuals under 16 from using social media.
In response to inquiries about Meta’s cessation of fact-checking, Albanese expressed concern about the possibility of misinformation influencing the upcoming federal election.
“I’ve encountered numerous parents who have lost their children due to the impact of social media. We understand that the rise in mental health issues among young people is linked to social media,” Albanese stated.
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“Experts have consistently affirmed this fact. Therefore, we will continue to prioritize our national interest. I urge social media companies to acknowledge their social responsibility and fulfill it,” he added.
The prime minister commended eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant and highlighted the expanded powers granted to her by the government.
“We have full confidence in Julie Inman Grant, who performs admirably despite unwarranted criticism. She was appointed by the previous government and was an excellent choice,” he expressed.
Prime Minister Affirms Social Media Ban
In an earlier interview with ABC News Breakfast, Albanese affirmed his commitment to the social media ban, notwithstanding any objections from the Trump administration.
The ban on social media use by individuals under 16 was approved by the federal parliament on the final day of the 2024 legislative week.
Albanese defended the ban as a necessary response to new issues and technology.
“That’s why the government took action,” he stated.
“As part of the legislation, we will engage in a one-year consultation process to ensure that all measures are implemented appropriately.”
What is Meta’s Course of Action?
On Jan. 7, Meta announced the termination of its third-party fact-checking program in the U.S. and the adoption of a Community Notes model resembling X.
“We will adopt a more personalized approach to political content, allowing those who wish to see more of it in their feeds to do so.”
Introduced in 2016, the program involved Meta providing funding to designated partners such as Reuters Fact Check, the Australian Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, PolitiFact, and Snopes to evaluate the accuracy of content on the platform.
Contentious posts were tagged with warning labels identifying them as “false information.”
The X model differs by including supplementary context in a box beneath a post.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young criticized Meta’s decision during an interview with ABC.
“This move will pave the way for misinformation, disinformation, abuse, and trolling, leading to a chaotic environment on these major platforms where community members, parents, young people–especially women, are increasingly concerned about safety,” she declared.
One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts viewed Zuckerberg’s announcement as a revelation about government-mandated censorship on Facebook and Instagram.
Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) lauded the announcement as a triumph for free speech, eliciting a response from X owner Elon Musk.
