Facebook Is Recruiting Snopes, PolitiFact And The AP To Crack Down On ‘Fake News’

A few weeks ago, we told you about Facebook’s plans to crack down on “fake news.” And by “fake news,” I mean a mixture of legitimate fake websites and anything that goes against the mainstream media’s agenda. (Wondering what these people consider “fake news” outlets? Check out Harvard’s list. It includes The Daily Caller, Breitbart, The Weekly Standard and yes, Chicks on the Right.)

You should probably know that Facebook is doing this with the help of “independent fact-checkers,” like Snopes and PolitiFact. Oh. And the AP. The same AP that has spread its own share of fake news.

I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but Facebook launched the “disputed” tag earlier this month…

Facebook is flagging links to fake sites now, looks like: pic.twitter.com/N7xaWDkdYA

— Anna Merlan (@annamerlan) March 3, 2017

…and some people are getting these super handy pop-up warnings when they want to share something that Snopes and AP don’t like.

Facebook’s war on fake news starts with a pop up window for re-posters of bad info. pic.twitter.com/qpPXZjLL3u

— John Ourand (@Ourand_SBJ) March 19, 2017

C’mon now. People have the right to consume whatever information they want. Responsibility on individual, not Facebook. https://t.co/Fr4HNhqLX2

— Doug Coats (@coatsspeak) March 19, 2017

“The fact-checking sites Snopes and Associated Press” my god we’re all screwed https://t.co/uSAIUPBqN0

— Seth Mandel (@SethAMandel) March 19, 2017

@Ourand_SBJ Snopes being a leftist “fake check” ran by leftists. AP having recently ran Fake News and got caught.

— Jason Falter (@JasonFalter) March 20, 2017

@Ourand_SBJ who is fact checking the fact checkers?

— TCBnole (@TCBnole) March 19, 2017

This is a truly awful idea by @Facebook, particularly given the spotty record of “independent fact-checkers.” https://t.co/wpKgrsgxU6

— Martin Kaufmann (@Golfweek_Marty) March 19, 2017

This seems ill advised and well outside Facebook role. https://t.co/WE7ACbZfac

— Adam Mayer (@adamfmayer) March 19, 2017

I’m not on board with this in any capacity. I guess I’m old-fashioned. Critical thinking skills, people. Exercise good judgment. Do you really need Snopes and AP to tell you what’s legit and what’s not? (Not to mention that BOTH sources have their own agendas.)

Twitchy truly said it best.

It’s not a way to slow down the sharing of fake news; it’s a way to eliminate the promulgation of stories that Facebook doesn’t like.

EXACTLY. This is nothing more than a new way for the left to police conservative media. Let’s be real.