Biden slams Meta’s decision to get rid of fact-checking in wide-ranging Q-and-A with reporters | CNN Politics

CNN - Jan 11th, 2025
Open on CNN

President Joe Biden criticized Meta's decision to replace fact-checkers with user-generated community notes, calling it 'really shameful.' This marks a significant change in Meta's content moderation strategy, previously aimed at curbing misinformation. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg cited concerns over political bias in fact-checking as a reason for the shift. This policy change aligns with Elon Musk's approach at X, formerly Twitter, where fact-checking teams were also dismantled. The decision has sparked controversy, particularly among Republicans who view past fact-checking as censorship, while Biden emphasizes the potential risks of increased misinformation on social media platforms.

In addition to addressing the changes at Meta, Biden discussed various topics, including potential pardons before the end of his presidency. He indicated that his decisions might hinge on the actions and statements of President-elect Donald Trump, particularly concerning possible retribution against political adversaries. Biden expressed no intention to pardon himself or his family, dismissing such considerations. Furthermore, Biden reflected on the 2024 presidential election, expressing confidence in Vice President Kamala Harris's potential candidacy. As Biden prepares to leave office, he assured that he will remain active in political discourse, unlike some predecessors who retreated from public life.

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RATING

5.2
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides an overview of President Biden's comments on various topics, including Meta's policy changes, his post-presidency plans, and perspectives on Vice President Harris's potential candidacy. While the article covers a broad range of subjects, it lacks in-depth analysis and context in several areas, which affects its balance and transparency. The factual accuracy is acceptable, but the lack of diverse sources and potential biases in presentation detract from the overall quality. Additionally, the article's structure and clarity could be improved to enhance reader comprehension.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The article largely presents factual information about President Joe Biden's statements and Meta's policy changes. However, it lacks direct quotes and evidence to substantiate some of the claims, such as the details of Meta's decision and Biden's reasoning behind his comments. The mention of Biden's comments on potential pardons and the Havana syndrome lacks adequate context and supporting data. Furthermore, the article briefly touches on Biden's views regarding the 2024 election results without addressing all relevant facts, such as specific numbers or detailed outcomes. This lack of depth in presenting verifiable information slightly undermines the article's accuracy.

5
Balance

The article attempts to cover multiple perspectives, especially around Meta's decision and Biden's comments. However, it leans towards presenting Biden's viewpoints more prominently, without providing equal consideration to counterarguments or perspectives from Meta or other stakeholders. For instance, while Zuckerberg's decision is mentioned, there is little elaboration on the rationale behind it or responses from other political figures. The article could benefit from including more diverse viewpoints to provide a more balanced narrative, particularly concerning the political implications of Meta's policy changes and Biden’s post-presidency plans.

6
Clarity

The article's language is generally straightforward, but the structure could be improved for better clarity. The piece covers a wide range of topics in a relatively short format, which can make it challenging for readers to follow the main points. The transitions between different subjects, such as Meta's policy changes and Biden's election views, are abrupt, leading to potential confusion. Additionally, the tone occasionally lacks neutrality, as seen in the description of Biden's comments, which could influence reader perception. A clearer, more organized presentation with consistent tone would enhance readability and comprehension.

4
Source quality

The article lacks citations from authoritative sources or detailed attribution, which affects its credibility. While it references statements from President Biden and Mark Zuckerberg, it does not provide sourcing for the context or background information, such as the details of the policy changes at Meta or the specific outcomes of the 2024 election. The absence of quotes or data from independent experts or analysts further diminishes the reliability of the information presented. Including such sources would strengthen the article's foundation and help verify the claims made.

5
Transparency

The article provides limited context for several of its claims, particularly regarding the motivations behind Biden's statements and Meta's policy changes. There is minimal disclosure of the potential implications of the topics discussed or any conflicts of interest that might exist. For example, the article does not explore the broader political context or potential impacts of the changes at Meta or Biden's decisions on pardons. Providing more background information and openly discussing the potential biases or affiliations of the individuals involved would enhance the article's transparency.