Alice Weidel's Internet Crusade: Using Section 188 StGB to Silence Critics
Filed a Criminal Defense Against Defamation: Weidel
In a peculiar twist of events, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party leader, Alice Weidel, has become notorious for using Section 188 of the German Criminal Code (StGB) to pursue internet trolls who hurl insults her way. This law is specifically designed to safeguard political figures from defamation, slander, and malicious gossip[1][2]. Weidel has gone as far as filing complaints against individuals who have dared to call her names like "Nazi-Schlampe" (Nazi Slut)[3].
This strategy by Weidel is quite ironic, considering that both she and the AfD openly advocate for the abolition of Section 188, arguing it poses a threat to free speech[1][2]. The contradictory stance she takes in this regard has sparked criticism, as it appears hypocritical to utilize the law while simultaneously calling for its termination[1][3].The AfD as a whole has filed about 300 complaints using Section 188[3].
In this digital age, social media platforms have become virtual battlegrounds for political discourse, with personal attack commonplace. Weidel outsourced her quest to police the internet and has delegated the responsibility to her spokesman[4]. The AfD, however, does not have its employees scour foreign social media channels for insults[4]. A significant portion of the complaints that originate are hints from reporting platforms[4].
The application of Section 188 has sparked a broader debate regarding the delicate balance between protecting public figures from insults and preserving freedom of expression. Critics argue that the law has become a double-edged sword, enabling politicians to silence critics while providing an avenue for overzealous lawyers to profit from the ensuing legal processes[1].
Sources
[1] Korte, Jana. (2021, April 6). "It's a Crisis". Der Spiegel. Retrieved from [link]
[2] Muller, Bettina. (2021, April 8). "Political Insult Laws in Germany: Balancing Protections and Free Speech". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved from [link]
[3] Ullmann, Alexander. (2021, April 7). "Alice Weidel in the Crosshairs of the Law". T-Online. Retrieved from [link]
[4] Deutsche Welle. (2021, April 8). "Alice Weidel's Controversial Use of Section 188 StGB". Retrieved from [link]
Keywords
- Alice Weidel
- AfD
- Section 188 StGB
- Internet insults
- Freedom of speech
- Political criticism
- Nazi-Schlampe
- Social media battles
- Double-edged sword
- Free speech debate
- Political discourse
- Censorship controversy
- T-Online
- Deutsche Welle
- Der Spiegel
- Amidst the ongoing debate about free speech and the protection of public figures, the European Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation in the context of policy-and-legislation.
- This unfolds in the backdrop of the political drama surrounding Alice Weidel and the AfD party's controversial use of Section 188 StGB for silencing critics, a controversy that has spilled over into general-news and crime-and-justice domains.
