Fact-Checkers Face Crisis as Meta Cuts and Political Pressures Mount

Fact-checkers are sounding the alarm over what they describe as a "crisis" threatening their profession and society at large. International Fact-Checking Network Director Angie Drobnic Holan has called for urgent action to defend truth-seeking efforts as political and corporate forces increasingly target fact-checking initiatives.

In an op-ed published on "International Fact-Checking Day," Holan recounted the challenges that have emerged in 2025. Among the biggest blows is Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s decision to dismantle the company’s fact-checking systems across Facebook, Meta, and Instagram. The move, framed by Zuckerberg as a bid to restore "free expression," has sparked fierce backlash from media watchdogs.

"Not everyone loves fact-checking, and there are powerful political forces that would simply like it to go away," Holan wrote. "This is indeed a crisis for fact-checkers, but it’s even worse for the general public. Disinformation hurts people. It has real-world consequences."

Holan also pointed to budget cuts initiated by President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) that have gutted funding for initiatives like the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). She argued that these cuts undermine democracy-building efforts overseas, where fact-checking plays a pivotal role in fostering accountable governance.

"The public funding that Elon Musk is trashing was another factor in the growth of fact-checking," Holan stated, recalling how international development officers once championed fact-checking as a tool for stable societies and fact-based public debates.

Critics of Meta’s decision have accused Zuckerberg of bowing to political pressure ahead of Trump’s inauguration. Liberal commentators have labeled the move "dangerous," warning that it could deepen the spread of disinformation and erode public trust.

Holan emphasized the importance of fact-checking in holding political forces accountable, describing it as a safeguard against the rewriting of reality. "Fact-checking holds the line on reality for history’s sake," she argued. "Politicians who want to create their own realities are fighting hard against fact-checking, and they’re strong-arming tech companies and social media platforms into helping them."

As the battle over truth intensifies, Holan urged her colleagues to stand firm. "If we want a society that respects truth, now is our time to fight for it," she concluded.