Berlin Greens Propose Digital Violence Reporting Hub
The Green Party in Berlin's legislative assembly is advocating for the creation of a digital violence reporting hub. In a forthcoming parliamentary session motion, they urge the Senate to develop a blueprint for an online platform where incidents of cyber-bullying, hate speech, and other forms of digital aggression can be reported. According to Gollaleh Ahmadi, the Green Party's security policy spokesperson, this would include criminal offenses such as defamation, coercion, and incitement to hatred.
The proposed hub would serve as a "digital violence competency center," empowered to receive reports and coordinate cooperation between law enforcement agencies. If demanded, it would also offer counseling services to victims. The aim is to expedite criminal proceedings and administrative actions, drawing inspiration from the Hessian reporting office, "HessenGegenHetze."
Arguing the importance of addressing digital violence, Ahmadi pointed out that its increasing prevalence poses a threat to freedom of speech and the press, ultimately undermining democratic values. Timo Reinfrank from the Amadeu Antonio Foundation supports this perspective, pointing out that while civil society monitoring centers in Berlin do an excellent job, there's a gap in criminal prosecution efforts.
The Green Party's proposal includes tackling extreme speech forms, such as inciting hatred, part of digital violence. Moreover, it could handle cybercrimes, including online threats and coercion, examples of digital extremism.
Insight from Related Contexts
Efforts to tackle digital violence extend beyond Berlin and involve European-wide policies and legal frameworks. For instance, the study "Under attack & abandoned - HateAid" emphasizes the need for an institutionalized, internal party contact point for victims of digital violence. Effective reporting mechanisms are crucial for consistent and timely prosecution of hate crimes, requiring adequate resources for law enforcement and judicial authorities.
European Commission's Digital Services Act (DSA) aims to balance protecting users from harmful content with defending fundamental rights such as freedom of expression. The DSA empowers users to report illegal content and grants preference to trusted flaggers in processing reports, promoting an efficient approach to addressing digital violence.
Ultimately, any proposed reporting hub in Berlin should align with these broader European strategies to achieve effective reporting, prosecution, and protection of fundamental rights.
