From Patch 7.7 notes:
[. . .] while Meeps should matter enough for Bard to leave lane for chimes, they shouldn’t compel him to abandon his lane altogether.
Considering Bard is a support champion intended for the support role this can be interpreted as a very subtle Meta enforcement reminder from Riot, that they are indeed enforcing certain aspects of a meta -- at least in regard to the support role and what lane it is exclusively tied to.
RenownedWheat421 votes[{quoted}](name=Bôôsted Bonobo,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=dbpTkiIh,comment-id=,timestamp=2017-04-05T02:00:53.566+0000)
From Patch 7.7 notes:
Considering Bard is a support champion intended for the support role this can be interpreted as a very subtle Meta enforcement reminder from Riot, that they are indeed enforcing certain aspects of a meta -- at least in regard to the support role and what lane it is exclusively tied to.
This isn't saying "Bard should never leave his ADC's side." This is saying Bard shouldn't abandon his lane.
Mysticman891 votesThat's just saying he doesn't have to leave lane in order to be effective anymore. People are still free to go on their personal magical journeys and totally ignore bot lane if they wish, or now they can cling to their adc's sides at all time and it'll probably be better now than prior to the chime changes.
There is a meta and them acknowledging it (or even balancing around it) doesn't mean they're enforcing it.
Chønklord1 votesThat's why I said it's one interpretation. It's very subtle, but it's there. From my perspective on how Riot likes to word things.