Tag Archives: factchecking

Twitter’s Community Notes Are Getting A Massive Video Expansion

Twitter’s Community Notes system is undergoing a significant expansion with the addition of video capabilities. However, it is crucial to note that this expansion does not aim to replace the important work carried out by dedicated fact-checking organizations. These organizations are often faster and have access to certified experts, without the limitations imposed by the consensus requirements of the Community Notes system.

According to an analysis by the Poynter Institute, achieving a cross-ideological agreement on truth, which is necessary for Community Notes, becomes increasingly difficult in the current partisan environment. The Community Notes system has been criticized for its disproportionate implementation of moderation, safety, and security features.

For instance, Twitter has faced accusations of censoring critical voices that target the government in countries like India and the Middle East. In these markets, content shared by journalists and media houses is frequently removed or withheld based on government requests. With upcoming elections in 2024 in both India and the United States, the importance of addressing such concerns will only grow.

Community Notes, in essence, places the responsibility of fact-checking on its most active users who possess expertise in specific fields. This approach differs from having a dedicated trust and safety team to perform this task. Notably, Elon Musk, following his assumption of control, initially reduced Twitter’s safety team but is now in the process of rebuilding it. This development comes as X, Twitter’s parent company, is lifting its ban on political ads in its domestic market, which was imposed in 2019.