October 24, 2022 – Indian news publication The Wire has formally retracted its reporting on Facebook parent Meta’s “XCheck” programme that attracted the attention of tech and digital rights experts around the world.
Last week, Wire suspended the reports detailing Meta’s XCheck programme which, according to the publication, granted moderation privileges to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Malviya, who could report and have any post taken down from the platform without review. The XCheck programme reportedly exempts VIP users such as celebrities, politicians, journalists, and other high-profile persons, from the company’s enforcement rules.
Meta officials had reacted strongly to the reports, calling Wire’s investigation “a fabrication”. In an official statement, Meta itself termed Wire’s reporting “false allegations”. After questions surrounding the authenticity of the evidence cited by Wire mounted online, the publication suspended the stories, announcing an internal review of the entire investigation. In a latest development, however, Wire has announced it has retracted the Meta stories, citing “discrepancies in reporting”.
“Our investigation, which is ongoing, does not as yet allow us to take a conclusive view about the authenticity and bona fides of the sources with whom a member of our reporting team says he has been in touch with over an extended period of time,” says Wire. “However, certain discrepancies have emerged in the material used.”
Given the discrepancies that have come to our attention via our review so far, The Wire will also conduct a thorough review of previous reporting done by the technical team involved in our Meta coverage. https://t.co/rrQCfjgLAN
— The Wire (@thewire_in) October 23, 2022
The discrepancies include the inability of Wire investigators to authenticate emails received from their sources. The Wire believes it is appropriate to retract the stories, the publication adds. The possibility of Wire being deliberately misinformed or deceived has not been ruled out in the statement.
“Lapses in editorial oversight are also being reviewed, as are editorial roles, so that failsafe protocols are put in place ensuring the accuracy of all source-based reporting,” says Wire.
Wire will conduct a thorough review of previous reporting done by Wire’s technical team involved in Meta coverage.
For a quick breakdown of Meta vs The Wire controversy, watch this explainer.
