Jokes and satire after Meta’s decision to stop checking news shared on Facebook and Instagram

Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook and CEO of Meta, made a decision that attracted the attention of the whole world: the company’s platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and Threads, will no longer verify the authenticity of shared news.

This change marks a major shift in the enveloping way in which the tech giants manage misinformation.

But what does the move entail, and how might it affect users?

Facebook: De la fact-checking la Community Notes

Zuckerberg announced that Meta will adopt a system similar to that used by Elon Musk on the X platform, known as Community Notes.

This system allows users to add comments and additional information to posts to provide context or clarification.

The idea behind this model is to turn the community into a sort of guardian of the truth, letting users decide what is relevant or truthful.

However, critics point to potential problems.

Unlike classic vetting by journalism experts, this system depends on user participation and discernment, which could further amplify misinformation instead of reducing it.

Jokes and fake headlines on social media

Immediately after the announcement, social media was flooded with fake and satirical headlines, many of which featured Zuckerberg in the lead role.

Some of the most popular include: “Mark Zuckerberg, dead at 36, says social media platforms shouldn’t verify posts” or “I killed Jeffrey Epstein, but I miss him every day – Mark Zuckerberg, 2023”.

Since Mark Zuckerberg is back in the news again I’m going to drop this as a little reminder pic.twitter.com/hFiAL2vwQk

— Declaration of Memes (@LibertyCappy) January 7, 2025

Another example suggested that Zuckerberg was the first recipient of the first rat penis transplant.

These headlines were widely shared on Facebook and other Meta platforms, quickly demonstrating how the decision to forgo news verification can turn platforms into fertile ground for misinformation and misplaced jokes.

What this decision means for users

Critics of Zuckerberg’s decision believe the move could have serious consequences.

Without an effective verification system, users will face an increasing volume of inaccurate or false information. This could contribute to the polarization of society and the propagation of conspiracy theories.

On the other hand, proponents of change believe that the Community Notes model encourages individual responsibility and critical thinking.