Facebook has taken the decisive step of suspending an Australian fact-checking endeavor, RMIT Factlab, from its content oversight duties on the platform. This bold move comes in the wake of a comprehensive investigation by Sky News Australia, which uncovered a foreign-funded campaign aimed at influencing the imminent Voice referendum.
RMIT Factlab, a prominent player in the fact-checking arena, had been receiving substantial compensation, totaling up to $740,000 annually, from Meta. However, this partnership has now been abruptly severed as Meta and the International Fact Checking Network launch an intensive investigation into RMIT Factlab’s operations.
During this suspension, RMIT Factlab will be prohibited from rendering verdicts on the authenticity of content circulating on social media platforms, leaving users and authorities alike awaiting the results of this ongoing probe into the allegations of interference in the Voice referendum. Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.