Traditional media gets new relevance Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has decided to halt its fact-checking efforts in the United States. This controversial move could open the floodgates for misinformation to thrive unchecked, giving dangerous fringe voices free rein. The potential consequences for public welfare are alarming, as evidenced by the havoc misinformation wreaked during the pandemic. Fact-checking serves as a critical gatekeeper, identifying and countering speculation and falsehoods—whether born from ignorance or deliberate malice. Without these checks, deceptive posts can manipulate voter behavior, disrupt institutions, or sway consumer decisions. Importantly, fact-checking is not a threat to free speech; it’s a defense of facts themselves. Meta’s fact-checking partnership will…