Trump’s return to power seems to be triggering a real readjustment of course in the decisions of people who dictate the direction of online communication with their platforms. This Tuesday (7), Mark ZuckerbergCEO of Meta, announced the end of what was known as “independent fact-checking“, replacing it with the calls “community notes”a model similar to that applied to Elon Musk’s X.
Relationship between Zuckerberg and Trump draws attention
The relationship between Zuckerberg’s decision and Trump’s re-election seems evident to many analysts. VRemember that Zuckerberg donated US$1 million to the inaugural fund that will finance the president-elect’s inauguration ceremony. Additionally, Meta has committed to working with the Trump administration to pressure countries around the world that are demanding that American companies increase levels of censorship.
Business strategy or ideological alignment?
Although the decision to seek a broader and more plural space for discourse is welcome, it is clear that Zuckerberg’s moves represent a relevant business strategy for Meta’s business. Likewise, Musk’s alliance with Trump goes beyond the ideological field. In addition to the alignment of ideas, certain decisions by the Trump administration could positively impact numerous Musk businesses. The recent rise in the tycoon’s assets reinforces this perspective.
Left-wing criticism of the Meta change
On the other hand, the new stance of Zuckerberg and Meta, controller of giants such as Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has generated noise among left-aligned sectors. Personalities from this ideological current are already criticizing the decision, especially given Zuckerberg’s emphatic speech, who declared: “It’s time to return to our roots around freedom of expression. It’s gotten to the point where there are a lot of mistakes and a lot of censorship.”
Reactions in Brazil: Lula Government and MPF take a position
Some Brazilian politicians also expressed their opposition to this change. The Secretary of Digital Policies of the Communications Secretariat of the Lula government, João Brant, stated that “the Goal will give full weight to individual freedom of expression and will fail to protect individual and collective rights”making room for what he classifies as “far-right activism.”
The Federal Public Ministry (MPF) has also highlighted that it will closely monitor the implementation of the new rules announced by Zuckerberg in Brazil, since the executive initially cited the beginning of the model in the United States. Expansion to other markets should occur in the future.
Source: https://www.hardware.com.br/artigos/zuckerberg-critica-censura/
