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The Take

What’s behind Big Tech’s embrace of Trump’s return?

Jan 13, 2025
In this discussion, Paris Marx, host of "Tech Won't Save Us" and critical tech industry observer, dives into Meta's controversial decision to dismantle its fact-checking program. He explores the perilous implications for misinformation and political discourse as Big Tech aligns with Trump’s return. The conversation also tackles the erosion of trust in media and highlights the shifting content moderation practices at Facebook, revealing how tech leaders are realigning with conservative power to protect their interests amidst rising political tensions.
22:17

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Meta's decision to abolish fact-checkers in favor of community notes highlights a shift towards reduced content moderation amidst political pressure.
  • The growing alignment between Big Tech and right-wing politics raises serious concerns about the future of media integrity and misinformation.

Deep dives

Meta's Shift in Fact-Checking Policies

Meta's recent decision to eliminate fact-checkers in favor of community notes signals a significant shift in their approach to content moderation. This change aligns with a broader trend among social media platforms that have reduced moderation in the wake of political pressure from conservative circles. By aligning with the incoming Trump administration's desire to amplify conservative voices, Meta aims to ease the concerns of right-leaning users who feel marginalized. Critics argue that this move could result in an increase in misinformation and conspiracy theories, raising questions about the long-term implications for public discourse.

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