Meta to Begin Testing Community Notes on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, has announced that it will begin testing Community Notes on its platforms. According to a report by Anadolu Ajansi (AA), the company said that it expects Community Notes to be less biased than its third-party fact-checking program, as it allows more people with different perspectives to add context to posts.
Background
In January, Meta announced plans to move from a third-party fact-checking program to a crowd-sourced Community Notes approach, starting in the United States. The company said that it will begin testing this new approach on March 18 by allowing contributors from its community to write and rate notes on content across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.
How it Works
The Community Notes program allows users, referred to as contributors, to leave informational notes on posts to correct misinformation or offer additional context. If enough contributors from different viewpoints rate the note as "helpful," the note will be publicly displayed on the post.
Participation
Meta has reported that 200,000 potential contributors have signed up across the three platforms in the US. The company will begin by gradually and randomly admitting people from the waitlist and will test the writing and rating system before any notes are made public.
Background on Community Notes
X, formerly Twitter, first launched the community notes program in 2021 and it became widespread in 2023. The program allows more people with different perspectives to add context to posts, which can help to correct misinformation and provide a more accurate representation of the truth.
Conclusion
The introduction of Community Notes by Meta is an important step towards promoting transparency and accountability on its platforms. By allowing more people to contribute and rate notes, the company is hoping to reduce the spread of misinformation and promote a more accurate and informed online community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Community Notes?
A: Community Notes is a program that allows users to leave informational notes on posts to correct misinformation or offer additional context.
Q: Who can participate in the Community Notes program?
A: Anyone can participate in the Community Notes program, but only 200,000 potential contributors have signed up across the three platforms in the US.
Q: How will the notes be displayed?
A: If enough contributors from different viewpoints rate the note as "helpful," the note will be publicly displayed on the post.
Q: When will the Community Notes program be available?
A: The program will begin testing on March 18 and will be available on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.