Prime Minister’s Conference
MPK calls for measures against corona hate speech online
Against hate speech and conspiracy theories on the net in connection with the corona pandemic should be taken tougher. Photo: Fabian Sommer / dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
The heads of government of the federal states and the new Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) are in favor of stricter measures against the increasing agitation and conspiracy theories on the Internet in connection with the corona pandemic.
The heads of government of the federal states and the new Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) are in favor of stricter measures against the increasing agitation and conspiracy theories on the Internet in connection with the corona pandemic.
The Prime Minister’s Conference (MPK) spoke out on Thursday that communication services that have actually developed into an “open social network with mass communication” should be legally “appropriately” regulated.
The country chiefs and Scholz declared their solidarity with those affected by agitation and hatred. “Death threats and torch lifts in front of private houses are unacceptable,” said the joint decision. In doing so, they signaled their support to the Saxon Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) and his government.
According to a report by the ZDF magazine “Frontal”, statements about murder plans against Kretschmer appeared in the Telegram communications service. In front of the private house of the Saxon Minister of Health Petra Köpping (SPD) opponents of the corona policy protested with torches.
There were “a whole series of brutalities” to be observed, said Scholz. It is true that there is already “very decisive legislation”. But there is a desire on the part of the federal states to «ensure that no network is neglected».
Berlin’s Governing Mayor Michael Müller (SPD) said of the torchlight procession: “These are images that we know from the darkest chapters of our history, where there have been such torch-lit marches.” The goal is intimidation. That is unacceptable. If necessary, legislative measures must be taken with ordinances.
The federal and state governments “see with great concern that conspiracy theories, lies, agitation, hostility and calls for violence are increasingly being spread via communication services, which are reaching thousands of users at the same time,” it said. The dissemination of such content contributes to dividing society and endangering the free democratic basic order. If legal violations in communication services are not consistently prosecuted and punished, this would thwart the “respectful and constructive exchange of opinions on the Internet”.