PTI supporters have raised claims regarding a tweet by Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi, asserting that a social media platform, formerly known as Twitter and now referred to as X, marked the tweet as false by adding context to it.
In the tweet, Solangi discussed the caretaker government’s decision to approach The Economist regarding an alleged opinion piece by Imran Khan from his jail cell.
According to Solangi, the article was purportedly a “ghost” piece written by someone else, and the caretaker government sought clarification from The Economist on whether they had published similar pieces by jailed politicians globally.
A screenshot circulated on social media platforms, showing what appeared to be a “Readers added context…” box beneath Solangi’s tweet. This led to assertions by PTI supporters that X had labeled Solangi a liar. However, it is crucial to clarify that the context box was added by users, not by Twitter or X directly.
After Elon Musk acquired Twitter, the platform introduced a feature known as Community Notes (formerly Birdwatch), allowing users to add context to tweets containing false or misleading information. This feature, initially available in the United States, was rolled out globally on December 11, 2022. Users can add context to tweets they believe are misleading, and if their notes receive upvotes from other Twitter or X users, the context becomes publicly visible.
Contrary to claims, the context or community notes added to Solangi’s tweet were not a direct action by Twitter or X. Users must apply for Community Notes membership and meet specific criteria, including compliance with X rules. Once approved, users can rate community notes and, over time, earn the ability to write notes themselves.
It’s essential to highlight that the algorithm behind Community Notes ensures that notes are not chosen solely based on majority rule; rather, they identify notes found helpful by people with different perspectives. The process involves a gradual earning of credibility, allowing users to contribute meaningfully to the platform.
Some users have noted that the community note initially visible on Solangi’s tweet is no longer present. However, this removal is not attributed to Twitter or X directly. The process of removing a community note is triggered by the same algorithm that determines when to make a note public. If a note is deemed helpful by users with varying viewpoints, it remains visible; otherwise, it may be marked as “Not Helpful” and eventually disappear, even from the Community Noters’ view.