Let’s be honest, Meta’s decision to stop fact-checking on Facebook is more than just a company policy change, it’s a move that could shake things up, especially here. In a nation where Facebook is practically the internet, this move has implications far beyond your tita’s questionable forwarded memes. Here, Facebook is where millions of people get their news, connect with friends, and share opinions about the country’s future. When you take away fact-checking in a place like this, the risks are real.
Facebook is life—literally
If you’re Filipino, chances are your first email was a Gmail account you signed up for just to make a Facebook profile. The platform isn’t just a social network, it’s a main communication tool, news source, and marketplace rolled into one. This means that for many, “the internet” equals Facebook, and what shows up in your feed is gospel.
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The platform is deeply entrenched in Filipino life. As of January 2023, there were over 87.4 million Facebook users in the country, accounting for nearly 74% of the population, with the largest demographic being young people aged 18 to 24, according to Statista.
Meta is rolling out its new approach to fact-checking in the United States first. Over the next few months, it will phase out its current system and introduce a tool called Community Notes (Similar to Elon Musk’s X) This lets users add context to posts, replacing bold fact-check warnings with subtle labels offering extra information for those who want it. While it sounds less intrusive, critics worry this softer approach could mean less accountability and give misinformation more room to spread. Meta is loosening restrictions on certain topics, calling them part of “mainstream discourse.” It also plans to personalize political content, letting users who want more of it see more in their feeds. But the big question remains: can this system handle the chaos of political debates, especially in places like the Philippines where misinformation is already rampant?
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Free expression or free-for-all?
Meta says its decision to end fact-checking is about focusing on “free expression,” but in a country like the Philippines, this risks becoming a free-for-all. The 2022 elections showed just how dangerous unchecked misinformation can be. During that time, some groups used social media ads and viral posts to push narratives that were confusing at best and false at worst. These efforts didn’t just spread lies, they shaped how people viewed critical issues and influenced voter decisions.
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For a country where social media plays such a big role in shaping opinions, Meta’s decision feels like being left behind. Journalists, educators, and organizations will now have to pick up the slack, but they already face limited resources and an uphill battle. This report highlights disinformation strategies in the Philippines, and offers a starting point for understanding and combating these threats.
But let’s not sugarcoat it: this could (really!) pose a threat.
This change leaves millions of Filipinos more vulnerable to fake news and propaganda, particularly with elections and other major events on the horizon. Social media platforms like Facebook have played a pivotal role in shaping how Filipinos perceive and interact with the world. The question now is whether Meta will still play a role in protecting users or step away just when they’re needed most.
