Media News Daily: Top Stories for 01/10/2025

Meta Ends U.S. Fact-Checking Program and Revises Hateful-Conduct Policies on Same Day

On January 7, 2025, Meta announced the termination of its U.S. third-party fact-checking initiative for Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, opting to adopt a “community notes” model akin to Elon Musk’s X. Concurrently, Meta revised its hateful-conduct policies, removing explicit prohibitions such as comparisons of women to “household objects” and language referring to transgender individuals as “it.” Critics claim the changes align with President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda. Meta’s decision has drawn mixed reactions, with some viewing it as a shift toward unmoderated “free expression.” (Read More) (Snopes Rating)

Ad Industry Reacts to Meta’s Decision to Halt Fact-Checking

Meta’s policy shift has raised concerns in the advertising industry regarding brand safety. Anonymous sources cite fears of ads appearing alongside harmful or controversial content. This follows other industry disruptions, such as the World Federation of Advertisers dissolving its Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM). Companies like Dentsu have also withdrawn from similar initiatives, citing scrutiny from lawmakers. Critics argue these changes leave news organizations vulnerable as advertisers pivot away from exclusion lists, potentially undermining credible journalism. (Read More) (MediaPost Rating)

CNN Analyst Challenges Biden’s Claim of Winning 2024 Election

CNN’s Harry Enten disputed Joe Biden’s assertion that he could have won reelection in 2024 had he stayed in the race, calling the claim “absolutely bonkers.” Enten cited polling data showing Biden trailing Trump in key battleground states and historical trends unfavorable to incumbents with negative approval ratings. Biden stepped aside in July 2024, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris, but stated in a recent interview that he believed he could have defeated Trump. (Read More) (The Hill Rating)

Bluesky Responds to Meta and X with $700M Valuation

Bluesky, a decentralized social media platform, announced a new funding round valuing the company at $700 million. The platform has seen rapid growth, jumping from 3 million to 26 million users over the past year, driven by discontent with content moderation policies at X and Meta. Bluesky positions itself as a “safer, more inclusive” alternative to these platforms, though it faces competition from Meta’s Threads, which boasts 300 million monthly active users. (Read More) (MediaPost Rating)