Public statements from Lula or the Brazilian government following the meeting

Lula Criticizes Meta's Decision to End Fact-Checking by Mark Zuckerberg, Calls It 'Extremely Grave'

Jan 9, 2025, 03:55 PM

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has criticized Meta's decision to end its fact-checking program, calling it 'extremely grave.' Lula announced plans to hold a meeting today to discuss the issue, emphasizing that digital communication should carry the same responsibility as traditional media. He stressed the importance of national sovereignty, stating that 'one, two, or three citizens cannot think they can harm the sovereignty of a nation.' This comes after Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, announced the cessation of fact-checking partnerships and a shift to a community-based correction system, similar to that used by X, formerly Twitter. The change has raised concerns about the spread of misinformation and the respect for national sovereignty.