Nobel Laureate Warns of "Dangerous Times Ahead" Following Meta's End of US Fact-Checking Program

Maria Ressa, the Philippine Nobel laureate and co-founder of the Rappler news site, has raised alarm over the recent decision by Meta to terminate its fact-checking program in the United States. In an interview, Ressa described the situation as indicative of "extremely dangerous times ahead" for journalism, democracy, and social media users, warning that it could lead to a "world without facts."

Ressa has dedicated years to combating online disinformation while facing legal challenges from the administration of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, particularly over critical reporting on his controversial drug war. She criticized Meta's founder Mark Zuckerberg, asserting that his claims regarding free speech are misguided and profit-driven, rather than focused on user safety.

Analysts view Meta's decision as an effort to appease incoming US President Donald Trump, who has long criticized the platform for alleged biases against him. Ressa rebutted Trump's assertions about political bias in fact-checking, affirming that responsible journalism is founded on established ethics and standards.

Rappler have announced intentions to continue their work against disinformation, citing Meta's move as just the beginning of a more significant issue. Ressa emphasized the necessity of protecting information integrity, stating, "You cannot have democracy if you don't have journalism," and pledged to advocate for the survival of truthful reporting in this pivotal year.