Mark Zuckerberg pledges to restore free speech on Facebook and Instagram with major policy changes in the United States

itional fact-checkers, replacing them with community notes similar to the system used by X (formerly Twitter).

This feature will allow users to flag posts they find misleading and provide additional context.

The initiative will roll out first in the United States, signaling a significant shift in Meta’s content moderation approach.

“This is about getting back to our roots,” Zuckerberg explained, dressed casually in a black t-shirt and gold chain.

He emphasized the importance of empowering users to shape the narrative rather than relying on centralized control.

Addressing Political Influence and Media Pressure

Zuckerberg candidly discussed the role of political influence in Meta’s evolution.

He pointed to the upcoming election season as a catalyst for change and criticized governments and legacy media for pressuring platforms like Facebook to increase censorship.

The CEO stressed that Meta would reintroduce more political content to user timelines while giving individuals greater control over how much of it they see.

“This is a cultural tipping point,” he said, highlighting the growing demand for free speech in public discourse.

Simplifying Policies for Mainstream Relevance

Meta plans to streamline its policies, particularly on sensitive topics like immigration and gender, which Zuckerberg described as “out of touch with mainstream discourse.”

These changes aim to make the platform less restrictive while fostering a more balanced and inclusive space for dialogue.

Aligning with the Free Speech Wave

Zuckerberg noted that his decision was inspired by the success of X’s approach to content moderation, where diverse perspectives collaborate to provide context to potentially misleading posts.

He argued this system is “less prone to bias” and better aligned with Meta’s renewed commitment to free expression.

Preparing for a New Era

With billions of users across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, these changes are set to redefine the social media landscape.

Zuckerberg’s move aligns with a broader trend among tech leaders seeking favor with the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump.

As Zuckerberg steers Meta towards this bold new direction, the focus remains on restoring trust, reducing overreach, and fostering open dialogue.

The coming months will reveal how these promises translate into action and how users respond to the revamped platform experience.