The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have issued a scathing statement criticizing Meta's recent decision to scrap third-party fact-checking and loosen content moderation policies. They argue that the move will facilitate the spread of misinformation, normalize hate speech, and ultimately silence marginalized voices.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have voiced their deep concern over Meta 's recent decision to discontinue third-party fact-checking and relax content moderation policies. The parent company of Facebook , Instagram , and Threads plans to shift to a Community Notes system, similar to X, where users flag content as false or misleading. However, this move has sparked criticism, with some viewing it as an attempt by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to appease the incoming Donald Trump administration in the US.
Online safety advocates express fears that this change will facilitate the spread of misinformation and leave children and young people vulnerable to harmful content. In response, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex issued a 638-word statement condemning the changes to Meta's policies, asserting that they 'directly undermine free speech'. This stance has placed Harry at odds with his longtime friend and professional polo player Nacho Figueras, who celebrated Meta's announcement on Instagram, stating 'This is so important. Return of free speech'. The Sussexes, who are now actively engaged in online safety campaigns, countered that 'allowing more abuse and normalizing hate speech serves to silence speech and expression, not foster it'. Their statement, titled 'fact-checking Meta', further criticizes Meta for its lack of integrity and commitment to its stated values. They argue that the company prioritizes profit, chaos, and control over public safety, particularly in light of the global impact of its decisions. The Sussexes call for online spaces to be designed with public well-being at their core, resistant to political pressures and lapses in corporate leadership. They express alarm at Meta's plans to abandon commitments to diversity and equity, which they believe will further marginalize already vulnerable communities. The statement concludes by highlighting the direct link between platform design and user experience, emphasizing that neglecting this connection puts everyone at risk and contributes to a global mental health crisis
Prince Harry Meghan Markle Meta Facebook Instagram Threads Content Moderation Free Speech Misinformation Hate Speech Online Safety
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